Press Release Content

Higher investments in technology and its reach have helped foster an environment where the general public is placed in a position of influence.

The world is less controlled by the journalist and more by the common man, according to an expert at the Arab Media Forum 2008, which will conclude today (24 April) in Dubai. Technology today has presented new challenges and opportunities for those connected with the Media and Information Technology industries.

While the implications of such changes are still unclear, media professionals attending the 7^th Annual Arab Media Forum predicted the proliferation of technology will ultimately empower the general public in guiding future media trends.

In a session titled "The New Media: The Interface Between IT Players and Media Players," panelists assessed the volatile alliance built around ‘Mobile Space' between search engines, manufactures of software and hardware, content providers, networks and telecom operators.

Panelist Dr. Walid Mounaimne, CEO, NURATEL, observed: "The communications and IT fields tried integrating into one industry - each trying to buy each other out and using their power to influence the other."

Such amalgamations, however, have not proved fruitful, and consequently slowed down the trend. Despite the slack in mergers, there remains a great deal of opportunity for cooperation and development amongst the two fields, observed the experts.

The panelists were also quick to dispel predictions of the demise of traditional mediums of journalism, such as the newspaper. Dr. Ammar Bakkar, Editor-in-Chief, Al Arabiya.net, said each medium is likely to adapt to the changes that is going on, much like the radio that has proven to be resilient despite the advent of the TV. There was strong consensus amongst the panelists that the world is becoming increasingly technologically dominant.

According to Dr. Ayman Abdul Nou, Editor-in-Chief, All4Syria online, there is bound to be a dramatic increase in the number of Internet users globally, which will in effect draw a growing number of participants into the technological revolution. Those communication companies that are best able to adapt to these changes will most likely reap the benefits.

Dr. Asif Ismail, Project Director, Centre for Public Integrity, Washington DC, predicted the next generation of media will arise from the marriage of the mobile phone and the web to collectively create a new mobile interface.

"Unlike other mediums, people are always connected when using the mobile web," stated Dr. Ismail. Furthermore, it has recently been revealed that currently over US$350 billion is being spent on mobile technology annually, which places it almost on par with the nominal GDP of Austria, Norway and Saudi Arabia.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Arab Media Forum 2008 is built around the theme of ‘Bridging Arab Media through Technology'.

In its seventh edition, the AMF has brought together over 200 top-tier regional and international media professionals and intellectuals to explore the impact of technological transformations on the media, within and beyond the region.

LATEST PRESS RELEASES