ABU DHABI // Saqr Ghobash, the Chairman of the National Media Council, yesterday defended media outlets from accusations they employ too many foreigners and fail to properly represent Emirati culture.
Mr Ghobash, who is also Minister of Labour, said the council was not authorised to control the media, only to guide it.
"Every media outlet seeks to retain its own method and character, and the council not only understands this but encourages it for the sake of diversity as long as that does not violate the law or be against the country's pillars and policies," he told an FNC session at which a report on the Government's media policies was discussed.
The minister added that the media council was "in no way a central authority that controls the media sector".
He was responding to criticism by several FNC members that some unnamed sections of the media fail to uphold national values, reinforce the national identity, or discuss things that matter to Emiratis.
They called for the media council to regulate the media more tightly.
The FNC report found that the media council's strategic plan did not take into account issues such as the dominance of foreign media products. It claimed that between 70 and 80 per cent of information produced by media outlets last year was "irrelevant" to the UAE.
Dr Amal al Qubaisi, an FNC member from Abu Dhabi, criticised the media council for failing to Emiratise the sector. She said the strategic plan should be re-evaluated to better take into account issues such as national identity, the population imbalance and Emiratisation.
The minister said the Emiratisation of the media was part of the government's overall policy.
"This issue requires constant efforts by several authorities, and other factors such as education, training and awareness, as well as financial and moral incentives in order to attract nationals in this field," he said. "We should not forget that working in the field of media also requires talent, will and skills in order for a person to be successful and continue in this field."
Maysa Rashid Ghadir, an FNC member from Dubai, said non-Arabic media outlets often did not follow the same rules as the Arabic media. They run articles that are detrimental to national values and interests, or are not relevant to the UAE, she said.
Another member, Khalifa bin Howaiden, criticised the absence of a federal television channel, despite the country having 13 local government channels. Although the UAE hosts 22 per cent of the Middle East's television channels, the media council had failed to oblige them to properly portray Emirati culture, the members claimed.
@Email:hhassan@thenational.ae
BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
Top New Zealand cop on policing the virtual world
New Zealand police began closer scrutiny of social media and online communities after the attacks on two mosques in March, the country's top officer said.
The killing of 51 people in Christchurch and wounding of more than 40 others shocked the world. Brenton Tarrant, a suspected white supremacist, was accused of the killings. His trial is ongoing and he denies the charges.
Mike Bush, commissioner of New Zealand Police, said officers looked closely at how they monitored social media in the wake of the tragedy to see if lessons could be learned.
“We decided that it was fit for purpose but we need to deepen it in terms of community relationships, extending them not only with the traditional community but the virtual one as well," he told The National.
"We want to get ahead of attacks like we suffered in New Zealand so we have to challenge ourselves to be better."
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
UAE v Ireland
1st ODI, UAE win by 6 wickets
2nd ODI, January 12
3rd ODI, January 14
4th ODI, January 16
The Bio
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
Company%20Profile
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The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
Crops that could be introduced to the UAE
1: Quinoa
2. Bathua
3. Amaranth
4. Pearl and finger millet
5. Sorghum
if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
Confirmed%20bouts%20(more%20to%20be%20added)
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MEDIEVIL%20(1998)
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The%20Specs
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