(Sharjah) – The United Arab Media Council (UAMC) officially awarded Sharjah the title of ‘Capital of Arab Press’ for 2016, coinciding with the opening of the fifth International Government Communication Forum (IGCF 2016).
Accepting Sharjah’s new title, Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Centre, discussed Sharjah’s rich history as a hub for journalists and media experts from the Arab and international world to share experiences and expertise.
The Chairman went on to discuss the evolving and growing nature of Sharjah as a media centre and the emirate’s commitment to fostering transparency and credibility in its media landscape. With the objective of raising awareness among its citizens, Sharjah, he said, balances responsibility for public interest with freedom of speech.
Earning its status as the ‘Capital of Arab Press’, Sharjah was chosen for its unique contribution to upholding cultural values. Haitham Youssef, Secretary-General of UAMC, said that the Council selected Sharjah for its commitment to integrating culture into the media space.
Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi said it was important to encourage the growth of media standards at a time when the public is susceptible to misleading press and contradicting media outlets that have forgotten the importance of public interest. Losing the media, he said, would be tantamount to losing an era.
Also speaking on the announcement, Haitham Youssef commended Sharjah and H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah for the efforts of fostering a respected journalistic environment and developing the media industry through the launch of the Sharjah Media Free Zone and Sharjah Media Centre.
Themed ‘Citizens for Prosperity’, IGCF 2016 is currently underway at the Expo Centre Sharjah. Examining the symbiotic relationship between governments and their people, the forum aims to explore how government communication touches different aspects of people’s everyday life either directly or indirectly through its impact on vital socio-economic sectors. The sectors in focus include education, health care, unemployment, and poverty eradication, among others.
(Courtesy WAM)
