Dubai: April 24, 2008 - The recent rise of Arab satellite networks has provided a unique opportunity to present the voice of the Arab people across the region and the world as a whole, according to experts on the second day of the Arab Media Forum 2008, which opened yesterday (23 April) with an overwhelming media presence.
In a session titled "Consolidation Driving Arab Broadcasting Networks' Growth", panelists speaking at the 7th annual Arab Media Forum assessed the impact of mergers and acquisitions involving the emerging gatekeepers of content and access on the future of the Arab media landscape, including the preservation of Arab cultural values.
Moderated by Maria Ma'alouf, Anchor, NBN TV, the session included presentations by Hosam El Sokkari, Head of BBC Arabic, UK, and Nigel Parsons, Managing Director, Al Jazeera English.
Hosam El Sokkari said: "Compared to the English voice, the Arab voice was less heard and had a limited reach. This often led to a sense of alienation among the Arab people who felt voiceless and misrepresented by reigning media establishments.
"Today the situation is changing. Instead of media becoming a barrier of understanding between the two cultures, the emerging networks have built valuable bridges of communication and understanding."
Nigel Parsons said the widespread fear that the rise of such large networks would result in the demise of local media have so far proved unfounded.
He added: "People will always be interested in what is going on in the world around them. Local and transnational networks must, therefore, play unique roles. In fact, the differing mandate of the two networks has provided them with unique opportunities for cooperation, which in turn strengthen the service that each provides."
The spread of technology, which helped facilitate the rise of the Arab satellite media, has also empowered the local media providing them with new opportunities for growth, responded El Sokkari.
"The individual in each community can now participate in the broadcasting of news stories and ideas presenting local flavour to international broadcasts. The market is no longer monopolized by journalists. The common man is no longer being spoken to; he has instead become a part of the process of news generation," he concluded.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister 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 brings together over 200 top-tier regional and international media professionals and intellectuals to analyse the transformation of technology on the media within the region and beyond.
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© Press Release 2008
