ABU DHABI: The UAE media deals in a realistic and professional manner with events keeping national interests in mind, Dr Sultan Bin Ahmad Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State, Chairman of the Board of Directors of National Media Council (NMC), has said.

The region experiences threats and risks, which prompt those in charge of the media to redouble their efforts to keep pace with changes and address challenges, he added

“This ensures that the UAE remains an oasis of security, peace and a model of stability based on values of tolerance and happiness as per the aspirations of the leadership,” Dr Al Jaber added.

Dr Al Jaber was speaking at the Media Forum on Risks and Threats at the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research on Wednesday. The event was organised by the National Emergency and Crisis Management Authority in co-operation with the NMC.

“The forum is important amid rapid international developments and changes in a region awash with crises, and attempts to spread extreme ideas,” he added.

Dr Al Jaber said that the immense progress in the digital and social networking media has created a new situation. “These new media tools have become instrumental as an active part of the events and not just in coverage,” he added.

The role of the media in tackling threats and risks should start with preventive measures and pre-planning to avoid crises, he said. This, he noted, requires maturity and awareness to prevent risks from turning into crises and catastrophes.

Dr Al Jaber reiterated that this awareness also helps to reduce the intensity of a crisis by disseminating authentic information and refuting rumours and misguided ideas.

He hailed the role of the national media institutions in spreading such awareness and highlighting the country’s progress in all sectors.

Dr Al Jaber referred to the UAE’s prestigious image, thanks to the directives and shrewd vision of the leadership.

The NMC is currently developing a crisis management strategy in co-operation with competent authorities, he said, and added that the council will continue to unify these efforts in a manner that serves higher national interests.

The UAE media policy keeps pace with the latest international developments in terms of communication and information, said Noura Bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs.

While the media in general enhances communication with other cultures, the local media serves national and humanitarian issues based on transparency and credibility when addressing community issues and problems with constructive criticism, with emphasis on deepening the national allegiance, she stated.

Al Kaabi commended the UAE leadership’s approach in dealing with the crises faced over the last two years during which the media covered the tours of senior officials to the scenes of incidents to clarify facts to the public by refuting rumours.

She cited the supervision of Sheikh Ammar Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman, and Lt General Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, in extinguishing the fire that erupted at Ajman towers.

She also referred to the appearance of Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed at the press conference to announce the Reem Island Ghost crime. Al Kaabi cited the participation of Sheikh Mansour Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum in the extinguishing of the fire at Address Hotel Dubai, and the visit of Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to the scene of the incident.

During the first session titled ‘The Media Planning for Crisis and Emergency Management’, Dr Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, Member of the Executive Council of Emirate of Abu Dhabi, Director-General of Abu Dhabi Education Council and Vice Chancellor of UAE University, stressed the role of the media in tackling crises.

WAM