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Arab Media Forum speakers pitch for humanitarian media

Dubai - Shaikh Mohammed attends opening of 15th Arab Media Forum; Haya calls for Arab Media charter

Keynote speakers at the 15th edition of the Arab Media Forum have called for the creation of 'humanitarian media' in the Arab World.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, attended the first day of the Arab Media Forum, accompanied by Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai; Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai; other Shaikhs, dignitaries and media personalities.
Calling for a "Charter for the Arab Media' to be created, Princess Haya bint Hussein, Wife of Shaikh Mohammed, 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, she said recent developments in the region have had a negative impact on the Arab media.
"All call on media to be professional. But in return, we should give media its due rights," she said and urged the Arab world to create a Charter for Arab media.
"Social media brings us great stories and inspire us," said Princess Haya, taking out examples of news about Shaikh Mohammed. "Despite being the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Shaikh Mohammed would visit a shopping centre without guards, fix a woman's broke-down car or read stories to orphans. All these come out to the world through social media.
She also cited the story of a teacher who wrote on social media about how His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, 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," Princess Haya said.
In his keynote address, Nasser Judeh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and Expatriate Affairs of Jordan, called for "humanitarian media".
He said media has to play a role in countering terrorism and extremism.
"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," Judeh said.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com