Media And National Responsibility Forum Addresses Ethical Communication Challenges In The UAE

The National Media Office (NMO) recently held the "Media and National Responsibility Forum" to foster collaboration within the UAE's media landscape. This event aimed to promote responsible communication that protects national interests and counters misinformation and rumours spread by online trolls. The forum was attended by key figures, including Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Dr. Mohammed Hamad Al Kuwaiti, and Khalid Mubarak Al Madhani.

Sheikh Abdulla Al Hamed highlighted the importance of social media users preserving Emirati values. He noted that social media has significant influence, necessitating vigilance to accurately portray the UAE's achievements. He stressed delivering factual content while avoiding misleading information that could harm societies and international relations.

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Al Hamed emphasised that maintaining the UAE's positive reputation is a collective responsibility, especially for the youth. He conveyed President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's message about using positive responses against attempts to harm the nation. "His Highness stressed the importance of using positive, methodical, and scientific responses against any attempts to harm the nation or Emirati society," he said.

Dr. Mohammed Hamad Al Kuwaiti discussed the Cyber Security Council's commitment to raising awareness about cyber threats. He introduced "Cyber Pulse," an initiative designed to involve all societal segments in cybersecurity efforts. This initiative aims to enhance digital awareness and protect national identity from harmful online influences.

Khalid Mubarak Al Madhani underscored adherence to media content standards in the UAE. He urged content creators to respect national values and avoid publishing harmful material. Last year, a Federal Decree-Law on Media Regulation was issued to strengthen the UAE's position as a global media hub.

The NMO Chairman launched "Block Without Comment," an anti-trolling campaign targeting online trolls disrupting GCC unity. This campaign received widespread support across various sectors, reducing offensive content by over 95% in four days while increasing positive content by more than 85%.

UAE's Media Strategy and Future Trends

Al Hamed outlined key traits for Emiratis on social media, as defined by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. These include upholding ethics, engaging positively with diverse ideas, and promoting community initiatives. "Every Emirati on social media is an ambassador of their country," he noted.

The forum concluded with discussions on strengthening media's role in supporting national identity and addressing digital challenges. Attendees explored strategies for maintaining credibility amid technological changes while enhancing transparency in media practices.

Dr. Al Kuwaiti highlighted the UAE's success at the World Summit on Information Society Prizes 2024 for its Cyber Pulse initiative. This achievement underscores efforts to counteract misleading news spread by electronic flies aiming to create discord among people.

The NMO Chairman affirmed that ethical responsibility lies with journalists and influencers when publishing content online. They must ensure accuracy, truthfulness, and objectivity while respecting privacy laws and intellectual property rights.

"We want a media that reflects the values of the UAE," stated Al Hamed, advocating for objective discourse without insults or exaggerations. The goal is a media platform fostering public awareness while serving national interests effectively.

With inputs from WAM