Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, the 11th edition of the Emirati Media Forum opened in Dubai on Monday.
Organized by the Dubai Press Club, the forum brings together national leaders, senior officials, media professionals and content creators from across the UAE to examine the role of national media amid a rapidly changing regional and international landscape.
The opening session was attended by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), alongside government officials, media executives and journalists.
Consequently, the gathering underscored the growing importance of responsible communication and cultural awareness in an increasingly digital media environment. Furthermore, the forum highlighted the role of content creators and journalists in shaping public discourse and preserving national values.
Information Accuracy and Cultural Responsibility Take Center Stage
In her opening remarks, Maryam Abdullah Al Mulla, Director of the Dubai Press Club, emphasized the responsibilities of Emirati media institutions and professionals.
“The UAE is a red line that cannot be touched.”
Stre”sing that Emirati media professionals carry a responsibility that goes beyond reporting the news to protecting societal awareness and preserving national achievements, she added that maintaining the accuracy of information and confronting misinformation had become a top priority amid the vast volume of content circulating across digital platforms.
She noted that Emirati media institutions had successfully countered waves of misinformation and misleading content that garnered hundreds of millions of views by relying on verified facts, data and high professional standards.
“When were bombarded with misinformation campaigns in the digital world, our media institutions succeeded in dismantling and refuting misleading content through facts and credibility,” she said.
Al Mulla added that the UAE media had repeatedly demonstrated its value during periods of crisis and uncertainty.
“The E”irati media has proven during various challenges and crises that it was not merely a conduit for events, but an active partner in managing them,” she said.
Accordingly, she attributed the resilience of the country’s sector to institutional strength, collaboration, and a shared understanding of journalism’s social role.
“Our strength did not come from nowhere. It came through institutional strength, complementary roles and a deep understanding of the media’s responsibility,” she said.
Highlighting the commitment of journalists and media practitioners across the country, Al Mulla described them as “soldiers” serving the nation through their dedication to truth and professional standards.
Forum Reinforces the Role of Media in Safeguarding Social Cohesion
The Director of the Dubai Press Club concluded her address by reaffirming the principles underpinning the forum.
“There” are national constants that represent red lines that cannot be touched, foremost among them the security, stability and unity of the homeland,” she said. “The UAE will always remain a red line.”
Therefore, the 11th edition of the Emirati Media Forum places renewed emphasis on information integrity, cultural identity and responsible storytelling. Moreover, the event reflects the UAE’s continued investment in strengthening its media ecosystem and supporting professionals capable of navigating the complexities of the contemporary communications landscape.
As digital platforms continue to reshape how audiences consume information, the forum provides a platform for dialogue on the future of journalism, content creation and the preservation of societal trust.