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Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said that the greater the challenges the region faces, the greater the media’s responsibility in helping face these challenges.
Sheikh Mohammed made these remarks during a meeting with editors-in-chief of local newspapers, national media industry leaders, and representatives of Arab and international news agencies, press and TV channels operating in the UAE.
His Highness further said that the media serves as the first line of defence to protect the significant achievements of civilisation. Media, he said, is a force for development and a shield that protects the Islamic nation from threats posed by those harbouring ill towards it.
Sheikh Mohammed told his guests that the Arab and Islamic world is in need of a balanced media that maintains the highest standards of integrity, objectivity and impartiality. Media, His Highness said, should not serve one’s personal interests but that of the entire community. It should be a driving force for national progress, he said.
“A balanced media is a source of hope that will help the region face its growing challenges,” Sheikh Mohammed said, adding that by being accessible to all segments of society, the media can create order out of chaos and open the doors of opportunity.
Sheikh Mohammed also highlighted the vital and growing role of the media in fighting terrorism and extremism. He urged media professionals to utilise their mightiest weapon, ‘the pen’, which is an effective tool to serve the cause of justice. Given the prominent role that media plays in the lives of the youth, who His Highness described as the ‘true treasure of the nation’, and its future, Sheikh Mohammed said that it can mould the youth positively and equip them with the tools for overcoming obstacles. His Highness also stressed on the important role of media in inculcating Islamic teachings and Arab values among the youth.
Sheikh Mohammed called on media to be more creative and interactive so that it can encourage free thinking, bridge cultural gaps and protect youth from destructive tendencies.
His Highness received two books at the event, one from Editor-in-Chief of Al Ittihad newspaper Mohammed Al Hammadi; and another from UAE writer Awadh bin Hassoom Al Darmaky.
Sheikh Mohammed’s Ramadan meeting with the media was organised by the Government of Dubai Media Office. Apart from media representatives, the event was also attended by Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum; Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and the Chairman of Dubai Media Incorporated Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum; His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum; UAE Minister of State Sultan Al Jaber; and Chairman of Middle East Broadcasting Center (MBC) Waleed Al Ibrahim.
The journalists and media professionals expressed their happiness at having the opportunity to meet with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum.
They also praised the Reading Nation campaign that was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum at the start of the Holy Month of Ramadan, with the aim of distributing five million books to children in refugee camps and schools around the world and Islamic nations as part of the objective of supporting educational institutions and humanitarian programmes in the UAE and beyond. The campaign will provide children and school students with two million books, and establish 2,000 libraries.
The attending journalists thanked Sheikh Mohammed for the encouragement and support he has extended to media, and for considering media as a partner in the country’s development and success.
Sheikh Mohammed took a photograph with the attending dignitaries at the end of the event.
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