Al Qasimia University And WAM Conclude International Conference On Content Industry Integration

Al Qasimia University (AQU) recently wrapped up an international conference titled "Content Industry between Institutional Media and Social Media - Problems of Integration and Competition." This event was organised in collaboration with the Emirates News Agency (WAM) and under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, who is also the founder of AQU.

The two-day conference featured 45 researchers from 13 countries, presenting 37 scientific papers across nine sessions. These sessions explored crucial topics like digital transformations in media, merging traditional and digital media, and the influence of new media on media institutions. Discussions also covered content creation in institutional media, digital media practices, and experiences from the digital media landscape.

AQU emphasised its commitment to implementing the conference's recommendations. The university aims to collaborate with Arab media and academic institutions to foster partnerships between organisations and content creators. This initiative seeks to enhance Arab media content while preserving national identity and cultural values.

On the sidelines, WAM hosted two workshops attended by numerous practitioners and students. The first workshop, "The Journey of Preparing News," led by Omar Al Ahmad, outlined WAM's news editing process. The second workshop, "Content Creation Using Artificial Intelligence," presented by Abdullah Al Shehhi, highlighted how modern technologies can boost media performance and innovation.

The conference concluded with a statement outlining comprehensive visions for advancing Arab media. It underscored the need for integrating traditional and digital media to shape public opinion effectively. The statement advocated for using classical Arabic in digital content as a cultural identity pillar while offering training programmes to enhance linguistic and professional skills among media professionals.

Additionally, it stressed developing strategies to combat fake news through awareness programmes that promote critical thinking. Recommendations included investing in artificial intelligence to improve content quality and engagement while updating media curricula to include digital specialisations aligned with labour market demands.

Legal Frameworks and Ethical Considerations

The final statement highlighted the importance of establishing modern legal and ethical frameworks for social media content integrity. It called for respecting intellectual property rights and protecting user privacy. Furthermore, it urged directing digital influencers towards societal issues that bolster national belonging and sustainability, contributing to content that reflects societal values amid digital changes.

AQU remains dedicated to following up on these recommendations in coordination with relevant institutions. By doing so, they aim to develop a robust Arab media landscape that aligns with cultural values while embracing technological advancements.

With inputs from WAM