The four sessions will bring together media experts and specialists to discuss the latest challenges and prospects for the industry, regionally and globally.
The Higher Organising Committee for the upcoming Global Media Congress, to be held under the patronage of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, has unveiled plans for four expert roundtable discussions to be held alongside the main event. Scheduled from November 14 to 16, 2023, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC), the congress aims to foster in-depth conversations on crucial topics within the media sector.
The first of the four sessions, scheduled for November 15, will focus on the role of unions and associations of international news agencies. Chaired by Mohammed Jalal Al Rayssi, Director-General of the Emirates News Agency (WAM) and Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee, the roundtable will bring together prominent figures such as Alexandro Gipoy, President of the European Alliance of News Agencies (EANA), and Kora Nou, President of the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) Ltd. Discussions will cover the challenges posed by technology, social media, and the spread of misinformation, with an emphasis on maintaining accuracy, neutrality, and credibility.
They will also discuss some international relations strategies to address challenges, and the best ways to bring together news agencies, their unions, and their associations for fruitful cooperation to address their common issues effectively.
On November 14, the second roundtable, titled “TV Broadcasting: New Horizons,” will explore topics relevant to radio and television institutions. The session will delve into technological advancements, creative tools, and the impact of artificial intelligence on media processes. Distinguished participants include Ahmed Nadeem, Secretary-General and Executive Director of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU), and Simon Spanswick, CEO of the Association of International Broadcasters (AIB).
The session will discuss new concepts in the field of radio and television to keep pace with technological development, the future of digital radio and television broadcasting, electronic media between opportunities and challenges, the ethics of radio and television broadcasting across multiple platforms, and the challenges of financing radio and television broadcasting.
The congress continues on November 16 with two roundtables. The first, titled “Production Streaming: New Opportunities,” moderated by Caroline Faraj, VP of Arabic services at CNN, will address the future of streaming and production companies, their collaboration with multinational partners, and the challenges facing the industry. Speakers include Dan Hu, Vice President of Tencent Cloud International, and Michael Barnes, Entertainment Attorney and Film Director.
The second roundtable on November 16 will cater to media academics, featuring two sessions. The first, titled “Artificial Intelligence and the Transformation of Media: Opportunities and Challenges,” moderated by Dr. Khalaf Al Tahat, will explore issues such as creativity based on artificial intelligence and ethical considerations. The second session, “Building Bridges between the Academic and Industry Environments,” moderated by Dr. Ahmed Al Jowdi, will discuss collaborative initiatives, industry-academic partnerships, and interdisciplinary approaches.
The Global Media Congress aims to provide a platform for fruitful discussions on critical issues facing the media industry, bringing together experts, academics, and industry leaders for a comprehensive exchange of ideas.
