• Home
• /
• UAE

Media shifting towards user generated content

Dubai - One major focus of the discussion was whether western media has double standards when covering the Middle East.

Read more...

Today's media landscape is taking a turn towards user generated content, according to experts speaking at the Arab Media Forum.
One of the forum's first-day sessions, entitled  "Covering the Middle East in the decade ahead and the impact of digital on journalism practices" was attended by Faisal Abbas, Editor in Chief, Al Arabiya.net English, moderated the session and was accompanied by Ian Phillips, Middle East News Director, Associated Press and Othman Al Omeir, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, Elaph E-Newspaper.

.@FaisalJAbbas asks AP's Ian Phillips whether western media has double standards when covering Arabs #ArabMediaForum pic.twitter.com/OUu0e7NW7v
- Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) May 10, 2016

"The Media landscape has changed. It's gone from print to online to user generated content. It is not a threat to main stream media but in fact we are now more relevant than ever. Our audience is way bigger than our pre digital era. Now when we hit send we publish to a global audience. Accuracy and general quality is of more significance as our responsibility to produce good journalism now more than ever," said Phillips.
One major focus of the discussion was whether western media has double standards when covering the Middle East.
"There are different aspects to reporting the news with certain agenda we have to be aware of it and have a better opportunity to voice dissent and contradictory views," added Phillips.
According to Elaph's Othman Al Omeir, "social media adds value to journalism now. Accurate, high-quality news from social media sources contribute to the development of media in the future."
"We need in the Arab media especially with social media to focus more on precision, quality and our media develops itself later," added Othman Al Omair.
"The media landscape is constantly evolving. Digital media complements traditional media rather than posing a threat," said Ian Phillips as the session ended.
sarakshi@khaleejtimes.com