Arab Media Forum gets under way in Dubai

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has formally inaugurated the ninth annual Arab Media Forum at the Atlantis Hotel in Dubai. After a brief introduction by Maryam bin Fahad, the executive director of Dubai Press Club, a keynote speech was given by eminent Egyptian scientist Dr Ahmed Zewail, recipient of the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1999. In his address, which received a standing ovation, Dr Zewail called for a "renaissance" in the field of science and media in the Arab world. The opening day of the forum had earlier held a morning session about the advance of print and electronic publications in emerging media powers China and India, and several workshops which included topics such as the rise of citizen journalism in the region and around the world, and expansion in the Kuwaiti media.

* The National