Abu Dhabi:Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Authority, emphasized the UAE's commitment to investing in young people as a national priority by creating opportunities for them to transform ambition into achievement. During the eighth Young Arab Media Leaders Programme, Al Hamed highlighted the importance of equipping the new generation with the skills and ambition necessary to shape the country's future.
According to Emirates News Agency, the session, attended by Dr. Sultan bin Saif Al Neyadi, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Vice Chairman of the Arab Youth Centre (AYC), focused on media responsibility, public trust, and the evolving media landscape. The session was part of AYC's initiative to connect participants with experienced media leaders and enable them to address community issues professionally.
Al Hamed stressed that trust is crucial for any media organization and is built through accuracy, verification, transparency, and respect for the audience. He urged media professionals to combat fabricated news by reporting false content and providing evidence of its inaccuracy. He also addressed the impact of artificial intelligence, which, while facilitating content distribution, cannot assume ethical accountability.
The UAE's media sector is projected to contribute significantly to the country's economy, with expected growth from AED18.8 billion in 2025 to AED27.2 billion by 2031, supporting over 209,500 jobs. Gaming and interactive content are leading growth areas, reflecting the expanding content economy.
Al Hamed concluded by encouraging young media professionals to prioritize truth, verification, and responsibility, emphasizing that while fame is temporary, trust is enduring. He announced the launch of the Smart Media Agents Challenge, which invites participants to develop AI agents that address practical media needs, with the best projects receiving support for implementation.
The Young Arab Media Leaders Programme, running from September 27 to October 15, 2026, brings together 50 young individuals from 18 Arab countries, offering practical training and opportunities to present media projects to an evaluation panel.