The meetings of the fifth edition of the Arab Media Leaders Forum called on the League of Arab States yesterday to put in place a law regulating electronic media and a professional charter to consolidate the values of media and control irresponsible publishing.
Participants stressed the importance of including joint Arab media training programs to promote the sector and the formulation of an integrated professional training system.
The forum, in the presence of more than 100 participants from the officials and editors of the Arab media and media, discussed many issues of Arab media and its reality and future.
The forum, which is hosted by the Sharjah Press Club of the Sharjah Government Press Office, stressed the importance of media content, which is a key factor in the development of media institutions.
The forum addressed the need for organizational and legislative intervention for websites, providing adequate information to deal with rumors, establishing controls for dissemination through social media, and benefiting from the technical revolution in supporting media work.
Participants stressed the importance of reviewing editorial policies in many media institutions and launching positive initiatives, including research centers that contribute to enhancing credibility and providing adequate information.
They called for the establishment of a strategy for the Arab media, the building of bridges of cooperation and rapprochement between cultures, the development of future solutions, the adoption of messages of tolerance and the importance of building a new generation of journalists to carry out an information message consistent with the goals of development and sustainable development.
Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council, affirmed Sharjah's keenness to enhance Arab media cooperation, support its development programs and consolidate its international standing, calling for creating a supportive environment for Arab media innovation and development.
He pointed out that the history of Sharjah media began with the emergence of the first newspaper in the UAE, since the twenties, and the launch of the Sharjah Media Council, the Media Office of the Government of Sharjah, and Sharjah Media City «Shams».
Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi called for the translation of the proposals, discussions and recommendations of the Arab media leaders during the forum, to work programs aimed at promoting the media sector and addressing its challenges, stressing Sharjah's keenness to provide all support to implement the recommendations.
For his part, Assistant Secretary General of the League of Arab States, Dr. Badruddin Alali, said that the forum serves as a bridge between Arab media institutions and a forum for dialogue on issues and issues of interest to the Arab media.
The Secretary-General of the Forum, Madi Al-Khamis, referred the recommendations of the forum to practical recommendations to the concerned parties to guide them and implement them on the ground, calling for the development of media institutions and the enhancement of social responsibility for journalists.
The President of the National Media Organization of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Hussein Zain, expressed his deep appreciation for Sharjah's efforts in supporting the Arab media environment, praising its cultural orientation and its various important activities.
Brainstorming session
The Arab Media Leaders Forum closed the activities of the first day with a brainstorming session, which resulted in many outputs that dealt with solutions to the obstacles facing the Arab media environment in light of the various developments that are taking place, the need to keep pace with the digital revolution, In line with future trends in the global arena.