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UAE media and the Corona crisis
Sami Al Riyami
reyami@emaratalyoum.comsamialreyami
May 09, 2021
Suddenly we are facing an event that affects the lives of all people in all its details, and suddenly we are facing dozens or even hundreds of questions that have no ready answers. Let us remember, for example, at the beginning of the Corona pandemic, how the debate was about matters that took weeks and even months to resolve, such as the debate over the extent of The validity of whether or not to wear a mask, and about the importance of sterilizers in preventing the virus, ways of transmitting the virus, and much more!
Therefore, the crisis of the spread of the Corona virus posed challenges to the global media before the local, as everyone is facing moments of sudden and unprecedented confusion in the health scene, followed by global confusion in the level of procedures ... and countries are confused about what they must do: partial or complete closure?
Suspending work and disrupting public life?
And for how long?
How is the way to flatten the injury curve?
Do newspapers and paper publications spread the virus?
How important is sterilization of streets and public squares?
Despite the existence of this kind of confusion that seemed clear, yet at the local level we had unlimited confidence in the readiness of the state apparatus and in handling the crisis well, and this was evident from the first moment. This confidence greatly eased the state of anxiety caused by the conflicting information about The virus, coming from outside the country.
How the UAE media dealt with the Corona crisis, was a major focus of the Emirati Media Forum organized by the Dubai Press Club, last weekend, where a long discussion revolved around the success of the Emirati media in playing an effective role to mitigate the effects of the pandemic, by spreading awareness Correct, anti-rumor, and clearly communicate government messages.
According to the facts, and far from any personal impressions or public criticism sent, the Emirati media has proven that it is trustworthy and responsible, and has registered a remarkable presence in the crisis, as it has succeeded in being an important supporter of the true official narrative of the crisis, and has kept pace with the delicate procedures that the world has witnessed. With its efficiency and distinction, and ultimately led to the result that we are currently seeing, as we are the first country in the world to be vaccinated against Corona.
The local "professional" media, and by that I mean the media issued by institutions well established in the profession, such as newspapers, television and radio stations, has proven that it is a strong supporter for medical teams in the field, and for official agencies that have made strenuous efforts to deal with the repercussions of the pandemic, and this media has placed the country's interests above all. consideration.
The media sought to broadcast messages of reassurance, and broadly conveyed the leadership’s concern for the health of every citizen and resident in the country. The phrase of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, "Do not paralyze them", was an inspiring headline for the media in this endeavor. .
This is the truth, and this is what happened. Certainly there is no complete work, and there is no painstaking and continuous work around the clock without mistakes or failures, but crises usually reveal minerals, and the Corona crisis revealed that the media still plays a major, vital and influential role. Wider than before, with the spread of its new tools on various social media!
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