IGCF 2019: Sharjah Press Club Hosts Special Sessions on Future of Arab Media and Need to Change Its Priorities

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Sharjah Press Club, a platform for the professional development of UAE’s press and media professionals and a Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB) subsidiary, organised multiple specialised sessions during the 8th edition of the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF), held on March 20–21 at Expo Centre Sharjah. The sessions addressed critical media issues aligned with the forum’s theme ‘Behavioural Change Towards Human Development’.

Day One

Day one of the event saw SPC’s first session titled ‘Conversations with Media Personalities’. Featuring Egyptian journalist Muna Al Shadhili, and Lebanese journalist and poet Zahi Wehbe, it addressed professionalism and the positive impact in and of the media, with a specific focus on Arab talk shows and the extent to which their objectives are achieved. Wehbe remarked that certain Arab talk shows neglected their key objectives, abandoning the bringing together of different points of view and the denunciation of racism and radicalism, and instead becoming shows that fuelled disputes, conflicts and differences.

 

A panel discussion titled ‘Journalism Between Desire and Dread’, explored how students can be encouraged to study media and journalism. The second session hosted Dr Sami Abdel Aziz, Professor of Media, Cairo University, and Dr Fatima Al Salem, Professor of Electronic Media and Journalism, Kuwait University. It was moderated by HE Mohammed Jalal Al Raisi, Executive Director of the Emirates News Agency (WAM).

 

Dr Al Salem spoke about the instrumental role of journalists in the West and the difference between media personnel in the Arab world and in the Western world, with  journalists in the latter believed to have the capability of changing governments, given the great impact of their words.

Dr Aziz spoke about the traditional techniques of education at Arab universities, particularly in the media. He called for changing the traditional curricula, which he said do not appeal to new generations. He also applauded the IGCF and the role of the Sharjah Press Club in highlighting the importance of the media through the organisation of such critical debates, events and discussion panels in the Arab region.

Day Two

Day two’s first session was themed ‘Human Behaviour and Media Analysis and Interpretation’. Taking part in the session, Mazen Nahawi, CEO of CARMA, spoke about the significance of media information analysis and its impact on human behaviour, shedding light on how modern technology is at the forefront of following particular trends that reflect public psychology.

 

The ‘Children’s Media and the Making of New Generations’ session, welcomed Maryam Al Serkal, Chairperson of Majid Kids TV, and Badr Ward, founder of Lamsa application, as key speakers, with Caroline Faraj, Vice President, CNN, as moderator. The session discussed the role of children's channels in shaping young generations, the challenges of children’s media, and how media can shape a child’s personality.

 

A session titled ‘Making a Difference in 60 Seconds’ was dedicated to highlighting the role of social experiments in the media and how these experiments can be used as tools to instil and enhance positive values, particularly amongst young people. The panel discussion saw Saeed Mohammed Al Nathri, Director General of the Federal Youth Foundation, and media personality Maisoon Abu Baker speaking.

 

Day two’s closing session, titled ‘Improving Corporate Communication through Behavioural Psychology Techniques’, was held in collaboration with Harvard Business Review Arabic. The interactive session discussed the impact of behavioural psychology on corporate communication. It also showcased the mechanisms for achieving effective corporate communication.

 

Speakers included Dr Ali Fenwick, an academic and specialist in organisational behaviour and innovation; and Dr Faisal Naro, Head of Strategic Management and Coordination of the Executive Director Office, Economic Cooperation and Development Organisation. The session was moderated by Hamoud Al Mahmoud, Editor-in-Chief of Harvard Business Review Arabic and business online publication aliqtisadi.com.

 

Another interactive session, themed ‘Content Leading to Visions and Ideas’ was moderated by Ammar Taqi. It hosted Sami Al Reyami, Editor-in-Chief of Emarat Al Youm newspaper; Mohamed Chebaro, Media and Communication Specialist at Thomson Reuters. 

Al Reyami started the session with a video screening on the importance, history, values and ethics of words, underscoring that journalists should understand the responsibility they have for the words they say or write.

 

Chebaro talked about rumours that can sometimes be spread through social media platforms, without any research, awareness or perception to fact check them.

“Rumours are as old as humankind. The objectives of promoting rumours can be political, economic, social, or cultural, to name a few. Rumours can be promoted by individuals, groups or parties during a time of war or peace,” said Chebaro.

“This is why we should verify and be careful about the news we get. Our region needs to develop the consciousness, perception and understanding of media stakeholders. Today, surprisingly, many people consider themselves journalists. This designation should never be given to someone just because they have a few blogs or followers on social media platforms.”