DUBAI, 15th February, 2023 (WAM) – As part of the second day of the World Government Summit (WGS), which is being held in Dubai, the Emirates News Agency (WAM) organised a round table titled "Future of Government News Agencies and Media Outlets"
Media representatives from across the globe, especially from Arab world, attended the round table that discussed “Fostering Partnerships to Fight Against Climate Change”.
The round table discussion was organised to delve into the crucial role played by the media in the fight against climate change and explore the future of environmental journalism. The event brought together global media representatives who engaged in a robust and insightful discussion.
Mohammed Jalal Al Rayssi, Director-General of WAM, said the World Government Summit represents a valuable opportunity for regional and international news agencies to exchange expertise and best media practices on the key challenges facing the world.
"These challenges include climate change, and ways to enhance sustainability and preserve the environment."
Al Rayssi called for the establishment of a media alliance with a mission to formulate media content aimed at enlightening the public in different societies on climate challenges.
“Climate change represents one of the biggest environmental challenges facing the world on account of its menacing threats to all societies,” he said.
"The Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change “COP 28”, which the UAE will be hosting by end of this year, is an opportunity to unify international efforts, strengthen joint initiatives and draw a future roadmap for the repercussions of climate change," Al Rayssi added.
The panellists on the round table addressed how the media can effectively communicate the urgency of the climate crisis, and raise public awareness and understanding of the issue. They also explored how media coverage of climate change can influence public opinion and policy decisions. The participants also discussed the challenges and opportunities facing environmental journalists worldwide, especially in the Global South.
They also talked about compelling storytelling strategies to maximise environmental coverage's impact, addressing the importance of accurate, fact-based reporting and the need for a collaborative approach between media organisations and environmental advocates.
The discussion aimed to provide a comprehensive view of the current state of environmental journalism and the future direction it should take to tackle the pressing challenge of climate change effectively. The event is expected to provide valuable enlightenment and recommendations for media professionals, policymakers, and the general public alike.
The round table participants emphasised the ways to enhance the effectiveness of environmental awareness using simple language.
Mohammed Al Yami, Director-General of the Union of News Agencies of OIC Member States (UNA), suggested maintaining professionalism and rely on reliable sources to deal with climate change issues. He stressed the need to train specialised journalists to cover climate change issues, which will help raise environmental awareness.
Abdulla Khalil Buhejji, Director-General of Bahrain News Agency (BNA), supported the idea of a scientific bulletin on Arab and international news agencies. This will help promote the initiatives of the communities and the private sector to protect the environment and reduce carbon emissions.
Dr. Fatima Al-Salem, Director-General of Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), noted the importance of the official media outlets highlighting the climate issues with expert comments and scientific content but in a fair and balanced manner.
Farid Ayar, Secretary-General of the Federation of Arab News Agency (FANA), emphasised the need for specialised courses to prepare Arab news agencies to deal with climate issues. He also suggested publishing a scientific journal for this purpose.
Najib Gouiaa, CEO of MediaCity Mauritius, stressed the importance of producing scientific content that caters to a changing society. He emphasised the need to highlight the challenges facing the African continent and use global channels to address their issues.
Xiang Li, Executive Director of CMG's Middle East Regional Office, noted the importance of raising environmental awareness among different segments of society through the media. He suggested streamlining and simplifying the information on complex environmental issues. Modern technical means can be used to raise awareness of the green economy and environmental protection, Li added.
Mohammad Mirdal Akib, CEO of Media Group Network in Indonesia, stressed that educational curricula should be developed in a way that enhances the awareness of environmental conservation among new generations.
Adrian Wells, Managing Director of ENEX in Luxembourg, praised the UAE's leadership role in addressing climate change and emphasised the importance of educating environmental journalists with specialised training courses to help them present the environmental issues effectively.
This year's edition of the World Government Summit is the largest in its history, with more than 10,000 participants, including senior government officials, experts in various fields, and private sector leaders to look ahead to the future of governments.
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