The heads of several news agencies stressed that the global event will offer inspiring new insights for managing the global media sector through diverse sessions, seminars, and workshops…reports Asian Lite News
The second edition of the Global Media Congress (GMC) offers a global platform for discussing the future of the media sector, with a focus on news agencies.
These agencies play a key role in delivering accurate and insightful media messages to the public at national, regional, and international levels. They are also the major source of trustworthy news around the world, as confirmed by the heads of Arab and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) news agencies.
In their statements, the heads of several news agencies stressed that the global event will offer inspiring new insights for managing the global media sector through diverse sessions, seminars, and workshops that reflect the significant role of media technology in content creation. This, in turn, requires responsible and professional work in line with the ethics of the journalism profession.
Dr. Fatma Saud Al Salem, Director-General of the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), stressed that GMC offers an unparalleled opportunity to envision the future of the media sector through holding a series of workshops, panel discussions, and seminars featuring a range of international media experts.
The GMC will give journalists and media professionals from around the world the opportunity to share ideas, especially those from news agencies that play a key role in delivering credible and insightful media messages, lauding the opportunity to learn from successful international media experiences by joining sessions that covered various topics and explored media developments.
She then thanked WAM for hosting and organising GMC and lauded the pillars of its second edition, which highlighted in-depth insights about the future of the media.
Abdulla Khalil Buhejji, Director-General of the Bahrain News Agency (BNA), said that during GMC 2023, he aims to explore recent developments in the international media sector.
He is confident that GMC’s second edition will present new insights about the future of the media, he added, noting that BNA will participate in an exhibition taking place on the sidelines of GMC 2023 to exchange expertise and benefit from the advanced technologies showcased by international firms.
Dr. Farid Ayar, Secretary-General of the Federation of Arab News Agencies (FANA), stressed that the second edition of GMC is a key platform for discussing the ideal ways of supporting media outlets and strengthening their role as an important tool for developing people-to-people ties.
GMC 2023 also plays a role in advancing the global media sector by hosting various sessions and seminars with media experts, he added, explaining that a roundtable discussion with the leaders of federations and news agencies will be part of the global event, where they will explore ways to enhance cooperation and improve their agencies’ work in delivering credible news and combatting misinformation.
He then expressed his optimism for the upcoming GMC, which he believes will generate innovative ideas to support international media systems, while commending the UAE for organising the significant media event, which has established its stature as an important platform for stakeholders in the global media sector to present their views and ideas.
These contributions, in turn, have helped advance the sector and maximised its role in the advancement and progress of societies, he further added.
The Director-General of the Moroccan News Agency, Fouad Aarif, said that the Global Media Congress is being convened at a critical moment for the media sector.
He emphasised the relevance of the issue that the current session addresses, among other key topics, the spread of misinformation. This phenomenon affects the security of societies, and the event seeks to find effective ways to counter and reduce its impact.
The Director of the National Media Agency in Lebanon, Zeyad Harfoush, thanked the UAE for the outstanding organisation.
Media’s Role in Climate Change Reporting
Dr. Ramzan bin Abdulla Al Nuaimi, Minister of Information of Bahrain, stated that the convening of the Global Media Congress (GMC) a head of the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) provide an fiting opportunity to spotlight on the role media can play in raising awareness about environmental and climate change issues.
In a statement, Dr. Ramzan Al Nuaimi said the GMC 2023 meets the important needs of the media community and carries a qualitative value that articulates the shared visions and policies of the Emirati and Bahraini leaderships regarding the diplomatic and intellectual leadership.
On COP28, the Bahraini Minister of Information expressed Manama’s support for the UAE’s hosting of the UN climate change summit out of its conviction that the UAE has the ability, clear-cut visions and ambitions and diplomacy to reach agreements and goals that can be implemented on the ground.
Noting the GMC’s focus on the environmental media and sustainability, he said Bahrain places the UAE’s hosting of COP28 at the top of its media priorities, adding that Bahrain TV dedicates a special coverage on COP28 and suitability.
AlNeyadi hails Media’s Role Country’s Development
Emirati astronaut Sultan AlNeyadi, the first Arab to serve on the International Space Station (ISS) for a 6-month mission, has appreciated the role of the media in supporting the country’s development efforts in various fields.
Participating in a dialogue session as part of the Global Media Congress’s inaugural day activities, AlNeyadi engaged in a conversation moderated by Emirati journalist Faisal bin Hariz under the theme “Reflecting on my Space Journey.”
He said that the most captivating image he captured from space was a photograph of the UAE. He emphasised that the homeland is the most exquisite sight on Earth.
AlNeyadi emphasised that the UAE’s wise leadership paved the way for Emiratis to succeed and excel and provided us with all forms of support and care to achieve qualitative achievements for the nation.
He touched on his historic mission, “Zayed’s Ambition Mission 2,” and the most important experiences he went through on board the ISS during a 6-month mission that was considered the longest in the Arab world.
AlNeyadi explained that his dream since childhood was to become a pilot. He chose to study engineering, and he benefited greatly during his work in this field for 20 years.
He added, “The dream starts from childhood, and we must develop it and invest in opportunities to achieve success and excellence.”