FUJAIRAH, 22nd September, 2014 (WAM)–Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Fujairah Crown Prince, H.H. Sheikh Dr. Rashid bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Chairman of Fujairah Culture and Media Authority (FCMA), inaugurated today the 5th Edition of Fujairah Media Forum in Fujairah at Concord Hotel under the theme: “Women and Media, the other Image”.
The event, organised by FCMA, is attended by Her Royal Highness Princess Rym Ali, founder of Jordan Media Institute (JMI), Eng. Mohammed Saif Al Afkham, Board Member of FCMA, Ibrahim Al Abed, Director-General of the National Media Council (NMC), and some 60 prominent media personalities from across the Arab countries and the world. The two-day event will tackle issues related to the presence of women in the Arab media.
Addressing the opening session, Eng. Al Afkham said that that the forum, organised in line with the directives of H.H. Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Fujairah, “is a platform for Arab media decision makers to exchange expertise to come out with plans to improve its performance and contribute to building the Arab communities.
He also pointed out that women come today to play crucial roles in all walks of life. Adding they have become prime partners in the progress and development process that takes places and in decision making. He also said, ” It is very heartening that this event coincides with 40th accession anniversary of H.H. Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi to the rulership in Fujairah”, adding that he is the real patronage of all activities in the emirate, particularly in culture and media field, and the relentless follow-up of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Fujairah Crown Prince”.
Al Afkham added, “FCMA is very keen to dedicate this event to bring to light controversial and vital issues and not just academic and theoretical topics”. The event is also; “A platform for media students to be in touch with media professionals to benefit from their expertise, taking in mind that Fujairah hosts three media colleagues and Fujairah Media Group and many private media companies”.
He said that FCMA organises number of cultural and media events of international calibre,, including “Fujairah Monodrama Festival, School Theatre Festival and Fujairah Photography Awards. “Plans are in the pipeline to organise Fujairah Intellectual Forum and issuance of Fujairah Cultural Magazine,” he said.
He also pointed out that this version of the event is dedicated for tackling the issue of Arab women in the media out of our believe in growing role and rights of women in UAE that have been granted by the President His Highness Sheikh Khalifah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his brothers Members of the Supreme Council and Rulers of the seven emirates.
The event programme features five sessions, the first of which is dedicated for analysing the image of women in the Arab and international media outlets, in advertisement and commercials and Arab drama. The second session is to tackle the challenges that faced women working in the media arena, supporting them and social and political changes. Some prominent Arab women working in the media will shed light on their experiences and the difficulties they are facing in the third, fourth and fifth sessions of the event.
For his part, Al Abed said that “The United Arab Emirates has never been far from the global debates on women and the media, as this issue has been getting the attention at the level of leadership, media and institutions of the higher education in the State. ” He added that during the last two decades the UAE under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union (GWU), Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF) and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, the issue of women has captured the media attention at international and Arab levels, a move that contributed to strengthening of the women’s presence on the media scene, and highlighting their huge achievements in the areas of contemporary life.
Al Abed noted that several national and regional initiatives have been launched to advance women’s role in the media sector so as to provide a fair picture of their participation in professional media work.
“In spite of the absence of appropriate systematic documentation of the women issues in the national media, there are indications of positive trends on women empowerment to play more active role and reflect positive image, referring to the high level of women’s presence in the media arena in the UAE, both at the level of senior positions or at the level of the press.