Local media in the UAE displayed strong unity and cooperation in covering the Yemen war, speakers at the Emirati Media Forum said on Wednesday.
The second session of the forum, held in Dubai under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, featured, among others, Editor-In-Chief of The National, Mohammed Al Otaiba, chairman of the UAE Press Association, Mohammed Youssef, executive director of Abu Dhabi Television, Abdul Hadi Al Sheikh, and director of News Centre of Dubai Media Incorporated, Ali Obeid Al Hamly.
Another guest, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State and Chairman of the National Media Council, commended local media after the NMC was honoured by Sheikh Mohammed.
“Our media has succeeded in strengthening the spirit of national solidarity and in standing bravely and transparently with the families of the nation’s martyrs, those wounded and the community at large,” Dr Al Jaber said.
Mr Al Otaiba added that the reaction from readers of English media, with regards to the country’s soldiers who had died in Yemen, had been positive.
“They share the pain of the families that have lost their children and their brothers. They see what the UAE stands for.”
Abu Dhabi Media, which publishes The National, saw Chairman and Managing Director, H E Mohamed Ebraheem Al Mahmood, receive an award from Sheikh Mohammed for ADM's exceptional coverage in Yemen.
Mr Al Sheikh said the media covered all aspects of the crisis.
“It was important for local media to cover every aspect of the war; not just the fighting on the ground, but also the humanitarian and relief efforts conducted by the UAE in Yemen, including the rehabilitation of schools and hospitals and the reconstruction of infrastructure.”
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