UAE Leads Arab Electronic Media Committee Amid Digital Transformation

ABU DHABI: The United Arab Emirates chaired the 21st meeting of the Arab Electronic Media Committee, which concluded today at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States. This session focused on addressing the rapid changes within the electronic media landscape and enhancing Arab cooperation in media and communication. According to Emirates News Agency, the meeting was attended by notable figures including Ahmed Rashid Khattabi, Assistant Secretary General and Supervisor of the Media and Communication Sector at the Arab League, and Faleh Al Mutairi, Plenipotentiary Minister and Director of the Technical Secretariat of the Council of Arab Ministers of Information. Representatives from various Arab media bodies concerned with electronic media were also present. Maitha Majed Al Suwaidi, CEO of Strategy and Media Policy at the UAE Media Council, highlighted the critical timing of the meeting amid unprecedented radical transformations in the electronic media sector. Al Suwaidi emphas ized the entry into a new era marked by rapid technological advancements, which pose new challenges and create substantial opportunities for the media sector. She stressed the need for Arab countries to develop comprehensive plans and legislative frameworks to effectively regulate and harness the potential of the growing sector. The focus was on using modern technologies to boost the global presence of Arab media, tackle cybersecurity and misinformation issues, and establish policies that foster innovation while protecting society from harmful content. Ahmed Rashid Khattabi, in his opening remarks, mentioned the implementation of Decision No. 547 from the 54th ordinary session of the Council of Arab Ministers of Information in the Kingdom of Bahrain. This decision invites the UAE, through the UAE Media Council, to design and launch a website for the Arab Electronic Media Committee by the end of 2024. Additionally, it calls for organizing training sessions for member state representatives on managing this si te. The planned website will adhere to the Code of Conduct set by the Council of Arab Ministers of Information, aiming to enhance the digital presence of Arab media while respecting the spiritual, ethical, and cultural values of Arab communities and ensuring the sovereignty of member states is upheld. The meeting also reviewed the UAE's initiatives, including the development of a new website for the Arab Electronic Media Committee and the achievements of the New Media Academy in enhancing Arab cooperation in media, digital content, gaming, and esports.