SCC Seminar Highlights The Importance Of Parliamentary Media For Legislative Engagement

The Sharjah Consultative Council (SCC) recently hosted a seminar titled "Parliamentary Media" at its headquarters. The event aimed to explore how media can bolster parliamentary functions and foster community engagement in legislative and oversight activities. Esteemed experts and academics participated, including Halima Humaid Al Owais, Vice Chairperson of the SCC, and Ahmed Saeed Al Jarwan, Secretary-General of the SCC.

Dr. Hisham Mohamed Abbas, Dean of the College of Communication at Al Qasimia University, elaborated on parliamentary media as a specialised tool for showcasing parliamentary activities. He highlighted its role in reflecting sessions, discussions, proposals, and decisions. This approach helps promote transparency and participation by bridging communication between parliament and the public.

Dr. Suheil Dahdal from the American University of Sharjah discussed how media tools support parliamentary policies. He emphasised that media enhances transparency by clearly communicating policies to the public. It also plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion through comprehensive coverage while countering misinformation effectively.

Dr. Shareefa Al Marzooqi, Director of the Media Centre at the University of Sharjah, underscored the significance of parliamentary media in fostering democratic culture. She explained that it informs citizens about parliament's tasks and structure while highlighting its oversight and legislative roles. Dr. Shareefa stressed that journalists must maintain accuracy and objectivity when reporting on parliamentary matters.

The seminar also focused on expanding public participation by providing essential information for legislative discussions. This effort aims to strengthen parliamentary oversight and integrate roles between media professionals and parliamentarians effectively. Such initiatives are crucial for promoting a culture of transparency within society.

Attendees included SCC members, General Secretariat staff, government representatives, and media professionals. The gathering served as a platform to discuss how media can support parliamentary work by enhancing communication with the public and ensuring accurate dissemination of information.

The seminar concluded with an emphasis on the need for accuracy in reporting parliamentary news without mixing facts with opinions. Participants agreed that adhering to objectivity is vital for effective media presentation in supporting democratic processes within society.

With inputs from WAM