Keynote speakers at 15th Arab Media Forum call for the creation of Humanitarian Media in the Arab world

(WAM) - Keynote speakers at the 15th edition of the Arab Media Forum called for the creation of Humanitarian Media in the Arab world in attendance of Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, HH Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, HRH Princess Haya bint Hussein, Wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, UN Messenger of Peace and Chairperson of International Humanitarian City, Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemi, Minister of State for International Cooperation, Dr. Sultan bin Ahmad Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State and Chairman of the Board of Directors of National Media Council (NMC), and a crowd of Sheikhs, dignitaries and local, regional and global media personalities were present at the opening session.

Welcoming His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al and keynote speakers, HRH Princess Haya bint Hussein, Wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, UN Messenger of Peace and Chairperson of International Humanitarian City; Nasser Judeh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and Expatriate Affairs of Jordan; Mona Al Marri, Chairperson of the AMF Organising Committee and President of Dubai Press Club (DPC), said the Arab Media Forum was started 15 years ago as an initiative of HH Sheikh Mohammed.

"His Highness guided us to new distinguished horizons, one of which is the Dubai Media City, an international center with more than 2,000 media outlets. We have had a number of accomplishments which some saw as a dream but in the UAE, they became a reality," Al Marri said.

Calling for a "Charter for the Arab Media to be created, HRH Princess Haya bint Hussein, UN Messenger of Peace and Chairperson of International Humanitarian City, urged the Arab World to remove obstacles so media can reflect the true image of society.

Presenting the keynote address at the Forum, Princess Haya said developments in the region have had a negative impact on the Arab world.

"The idea of tolerance and respect for mankind regardless of race, colour, creed or religion came from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, who created two new ministries in the UAE one for Tolerance and one for Happiness.

"It is an unprecedented step and provoked others to follow the example of the UAE. Praise for His Highness is endless," HRH Princess Haya said to great applause.

She said despite his great stature as Vice-President and Prime Minister, His Highness visits a shopping centre alone without guards, fixed a woman s broke-down car and reads stories to orphans.

"Social media brings us these great stories," said HRH Pincess Haya while citing the story of a teacher who on social media wrote about how the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan saw a girl child crying outside her school.

"He got out of his car, went to her and offered to drop her home as her father was late. But she said no as her parents had told her not to go with strangers. He sat on the pavement with her till her father came.

"It is not strange to see similar acts in the UAE," HRH Princess Haya said.

She said Sheikh Mohammed has been a pioneer in the field of communication and social media. His aim is to reach all people Emirati citizens, expatriates and all mankind no matter where they are.

Referring to media, she said all call on media to "be professional". "But in return, we should give media its due rights.

She called on the Arab Media Forum to raise the bar. And urged the Arab world to create a Charter for Arab Media.

In his keynote address Nasser Judeh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and Expatriate Affairs of Jordan, called for "Humanitarian Media".

"Arab Media Forum has become the most prominent and regular media forum in the world. This year s topic Media for Good is of prime importance given the crisis in the region.

"Media has to play a role in countering terrorism and extremism," said H.E. Judeh.

"Electronic revolution is a double-sided tool that can be used for good or bad," he said adding that Arab media has evolved, but now needs to cover a new angle Humanitarian Media to reflect on humanitarian causes.

"It is high time to develop an ethical code for all private, public, social, conventional and non-conventional media. We can work together to create an Arab Media Strategy, to give Arab media its right face," H.E. Judeh said.

The Arab Media Forum 2016 is being held at the Dubai World Trade Centre with the theme of Media for Good . It is being attended by more than 2,000 delegates from the region and the wider world. A third of the speakers this year are foreign experts. In keeping with the tradition of Innovation in the UAE, AMF 2016 features two key concepts The Media Walk; and Davos-style 20-minute sessions. Additionally, AMF 2015 also features workshops.

WAM/tfaham WAM 1823 2016/05/10 END