Day one at the Arab Media Forum 2008 raised questions on modern technology and its impact on media across the Arab world. It also explored the role of technology and its applications as the main driving elements of the industry.

The observations came during the two-day Arab Media Forum that opened today at the Monarch Hotel in Dubai. The session titled 'Are Transformations Breaking the Traditional Mould of Arab Media' saw eminent speakers highlighting how technological advances have re-defined the media within the region.

Moderated by Mohammad Farhat Al Harthi, Editor-in-Chief, Sayidaty and Al Jamila Magazines, the session included talks by Danny Bottoms, Executive Vice President and CEO, Showtime; Dr. Hessa Lootah, College of Media Sciences, UAE University, and Jihad Al Khazen, Writer at Al Hayat Newspaper.

The power of the new media, particularly the Internet, was also deliberated upon. Journalistic freedom through avenues such as blogs, as well as continuous accessibility were cited as some of the reasons for the instant growth and acceptance of the web as an enabling mechanism for the media.

Commenting on the emergence of the new media, Al Khazen from Al Hayat said: 'A new chapter is being written in the Arab world thanks to the internet and blog sites. The Arab media is undergoing rapid changes with the advent of technology but is still restricted and suffers from lack of resources. Nearly 61 per cent of media in the region is restricted, barring certain satellite stations that have managed to raise the bar and present a realistic picture to international audiences.'

Participants agreed that the media industry has changed from an industry hinging on talent and tradition to an industry where technology and technological developments constitute the main driving components. The Arab world, with over a 1,000 media outlets including print, broadcast and new media, is undergoing a transformation that has become integral to its development.

Speakers recommended the integration of new and old media to provide user generated content to help sustain traditional forms of media, especially when print is slowly and steadily fading in the developed countries, creating increased opportunities for the electronic press. The United Kingdom alone witnessed a drop of nearly four per cent annually in print subscriptions, whereas nearly 120,000 people get addicted to the web everyday.
The training of journalists, importance of consumer generated news, impact of the visual media, media's role in tackling everyday issues and the misuse of media as a recreational tool as opposed to being factual and informative were some of the other concerns that drew the attention of the panelists at the forum.

Dr. Hessa Lootah spoke on the significance of training in the industry and the need for raising awareness of the media as a key information tool amongst the local population.

She said: 'A majority of the population in the UAE is poorly educated and relies heavily on TV as a medium of information. It's our job to produce content and expose them to information that benefits their development, encouraging more integration between the various communities living in the region.'

She stressed upon the urgent need to introduce modern media studies in universities across the Arab world to draw students away from old western theories that deprive them of hands-on experience.

'Bridging Arab Media Through Technology', the theme for the seventh edition of the forum, has drawn the participation of over 500 local, regional and international media professionals. Over 50 intellectuals and industry experts have convened in Dubai for the annual forum to hold in-depth discussions on the impact of technology within the regional media industry.