His Highness Shaikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, highlighted the role of the media in helping the region face the challenges it is currently encountering, especially by providing objective coverage of the rapidly changing socio-political and economic landscape of the region.

Shaikh Mohammad called on the media to support the Arab society in weathering the challenges of this difficult period in the region’s history, and help Arab nations in achieving progress and development. He also urged media outlets to promote tolerance in order to spread peace, and help revive the Arab civilisation that once was a beacon of progress and learning for the world.

Shaikh Mohammad made these remarks during an Iftar banquet organised by the Government of Dubai Media Office for media industry leaders and chief editors of local newspapers and heads of Arab and international media outlets based in the UAE. The event was also attended by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai; Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Media Incorporated, Shaikh Ahmad Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation; and Shaikh Mansour Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. 

“The ability to use the ‘word’ is an honour and responsibility that needs to be protected by maintaining the highest levels of integrity and objectivity. The media is a partner in the development process, and this partnership involves great responsibility especially in terms of using the right ‘words’ that can help build a bright future for upcoming generations,” Shaikh Mohammad said.

He said that media is society’s eye that perceives the reality surrounding it; it is the window through which people can gain an understanding of what is happening in today’s rapidly changing environment. “The media should cover reality as objectively as possible, with the utmost honesty and integrity.” 

Shaikh Mohammad said that the UAE recognised early on that the media plays a critical role in its development and took steps to build a solid platform for it to thrive on. The UAE also worked on developing the media sector based on an approach focused on enhancing personal responsibility and freedom, in order to open the door for a wide range of constructive views and ideas.

Shaikh Mohammed also said that the UAE has strived to provide media professionals with all the support that they need to do their job in the best possible way. This journey of progress has seen the launch of media free zones that consolidated the UAE’s status as a hub for Arab and international media.

He also praised the patriotism of the local media, especially in the current period of the UAE’s history, where it is poised to assert its leadership in various sectors, thereby reinforcing the journey of progress begun by the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Also attending the iftar reception were the Minister of Cabinet Affairs Abdullah Al Gergawi; Minister of State and Chairman of the National Media Council Dr. Sultan Al Jaber; Director-General of the Department of Protocol and Hospitality in Dubai Khalifa Saeed Suleiman; and Director-General of the Government of Dubai Media Office Mona Ghanem Al Merri.

Media professionals attending the iftar banquet praised the constant support of Shaikh Mohammad in providing a conducive environment for the media to contribute towards building the future.