Abu Dhabi Media's commitment to UAE's legacy

First phase of nine-year UAE history archiving programme completed.

Powered by automated translation

Abu Dhabi Media has finished the first phase of its pioneering digital-archiving project, with more than 3 million of its rare and historic items restored and converted.

ADM's project is a nine-year initiative to restore and protect its historic videos, sound files and documents by converting them into a secure digital format.

"As the oldest media organisation in the country, many of Abu Dhabi Media's assets chronicle the history of the United Arab Emirates from 1950 until today," said Saif Saeed Ghobash, the chief operating officer of ADM.

"The company is committed to preserving this legacy for future generations and the conversion of its archives into digital form will result in a comprehensive archive of classified digital content that will ensure the durability, security and easy access of these valuable resources."

So far, more than 5,000 hours of television footage has been converted and stored, most of it related to the founding President, Sheikh Zayed.

More than 16,000 hours of radio broadcasts and 3.5 million files and images from across the company's newspaper and publishing libraries have also been restored and converted.

The project is due to be finished in 2020. The first phase, which has taken two years, was completed on schedule.