Abu dhabi: Chairman of the National Media Authority (NMA), Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, recently hosted Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, Chairman of the National Anti-Narcotics Authority (NANA), at the NMA headquarters. The meeting was attended by Mohammed Saeed Al Shehhi, Vice Chairman of the NMA, and focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation and the media’s role in increasing public awareness about the dangers and societal impacts of drug abuse.
According to Emirates News Agency, Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad received a briefing on the NMA’s key mandates, which include unifying media directions, aligning media policies at federal and local levels, and coordinating with media entities nationwide to unify the UAE’s domestic and international media discourse.
Abdulla Al Hamed emphasized the media’s strategic role in building a “protective barrier of awareness” to shield children and youth from drugs. He described the media as an “intellectual force” that can reshape collective consciousness and protect against misinformation. He also highlighted the importance of responsible messaging as the “primary line of defence” before any on-the-ground initiatives.
Al Hamed further stated that national media carries an ethical and social duty to foster discourse that goes beyond warnings, aiming to develop a resilient national character capable of making informed choices. He pointed out that while media reflects the serious threats posed by narcotics, it also promotes virtuous values and positive role models. He asserted that winning the “battle for awareness” is crucial for sustaining security, as informed citizens are the primary protectors of their safety and that of their families.
Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad remarked that the fight against drugs has expanded beyond traditional security measures to include influence and shaping public convictions. He identified the media as a strategic component of the nation’s comprehensive security framework.
He added that anti-narcotics efforts are most effective when they resonate with an informed public, noting that security starts with citizen awareness and ends with their safety, with the media serving as the essential link to every household. Sheikh Zayed concluded by emphasizing that NANA’s enforcement role is supported by the media’s capacity to disseminate facts, countering ignorance and rumors, while exposing the dangers of drugs and those who promote them.