Time to Consider Arab Satellite Channels as Valuable Intellectual Products, Concur Experts at AMF 2010
Wednesday, 12 May 2010
Arab citizens are no longer limited to information resources from the West thanks to the revolution of the media in terms of its expansion and development over the past few years. The monopoly of the Western media has ceased and subsequently compromised its position of power in the global landscape, according to Dr. Mohammed Qayrat, Dean of College of Communications, Sharjah University.
Dr. Qayrat’s comments came during a seminar titled ‘Will the hands of the censors reach the satellites?’ held as part of the Arab Media Forum 2010. The seminar attempted to predict a timeframe by when the scissors of the censors would reach satellite channels.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, AMF 2010 opened on 12 May at The Atlantis-Palm. Themed ‘Shifting Mediascape: Inspiring Content…Expanding Reach’, the event has brought together more than 2,000 media personalities and experts from Arab countries and across the world.
Dr. Qayrat added: “Arab media institutions are, however, under threat and it is high time we consider all Arab satellite channels as an intellectual product that is responsible for influencing the lives of millions of people.”
Moderated by Paula Yacoubian, Presenter and Journalist, Future TV, other speakers at the forum included Khalid Al Nasiri, Minister of Media, Morocco; Abdullah Qaseer, General Manager, Al Manar TV, Lebanon; Yousif Al Ibrahim, Media Consultant, Qatar Media Corporation, and Yasser Abdul Azim of the Arab League.
On 8 December 2009, 395 members of the US Congress agreed on a law that acknowledged owners of some Middle East satellite channels as supporters of terrorist organizations and called for taking punitive measures against what they describe as promoting violence.
Today, the debate in the Arab League continues for establishing a commission for Arab media for regulating the sector in addition to promoting transparency and keeping content clean from provocation or racism. These developments have generated a variety of contradictory reactions.
Khalid Al Nasiri took on a more conciliatory tone against the resolution citing it was merely a guideline and not mandatory to adhere to. He acknowledged the concept of ‘Principle’ in the context of censorship and urged a redefining of regulations and organizations for Arab media institutions to enhance their creativity and intellect. He stressed on the need for more independent broadcasting and rejected any call for terrorism, violence or corruption. “Respecting dialogue on religion and moral values is critical with a commitment to precision and integrity,” he added.
Yousif Al Ibrahim brought to light that the Arab media has historically been known as a governmental vehicle to drive messages to the public. Since the events of 2001, this has changed. He said: “We have witnessed a shift in Arabic media. Arab countries are now able to voice their position in relation to established western channels, and have the freedom to reformulate and correct what they believe needs to change.
“The concept of the resolution ratified by the US Congress does not convey ideas that are consistent with Arabic tradition and culture. I believe it is an attempt to hinder the progress of the Arabic media and strongly feel that this resolution be re-reviewed for the sake of protecting Arab media institutions.”
Abdullah Qaseer shared the views of Yousif Al Ibrahim agreeing that the new resolution in regulating Arab broadcasters could play a role of censorship. He called for a need to address this immediately so as to expand the space for the media to exercise freedom.
The session on satellite sponsorship included the role of journalists unions and organizations in terms of protection against moral and intellectual corruption by satellite channels, and whether the Arabs would stand up to Western media when the coverage is anti-Arab.
The Arab Media Forum 2010 will conclude on 13 May with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid honouring the winners of Arab Journalism Awards, the region’s most coveted distinction for journalistic excellence.
Key sponsors for AMF 2010 include Dubai Media Incorporated (DMI), Arab Media Group (AMG), Nakheel, Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and Emirates airline.
Latest updates on the workshops and speakers at the Arab Media Forum 2010 are available at www.arabmediaforum.ae.
Return to previous page