Mohammed bin Rashid Unites Dubai Media Leaders at GDMO Event

His Highness Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum attended GDMO’s annual Ramadan media gathering. The event emphasized media’s most important role in building advanced societies. His Highness Sheik Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, joined the gathering among prominent figures from local, regional, and international media outlets. The event created opportunities to connect with media professionals, writers, thinkers, and content creators. UAE media has played a vital role in documenting the nation’s remarkable progress over five decades. Dubai continues to revolutionize into a global hub for media innovation. This reflects the leadership’s steadfast dedication to promote a dynamic media environment that shapes public awareness and drives societal prosperity.

Sheik Mohammed Emphasizes Media’s Role in Building Advanced Societies

At the annual Ramadan gathering, His Highness Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum highlighted media’s vital role in successful development strategies. He emphasized how media contributes to intellectual and cultural movements by creating content that connects with different social groups.

“Media plays a vital role in the success of development strategies,” Sheik Mohammed stated, highlighting its ability to encourage awareness, culture, and human development. He pointed out that content creation improves systems, work structures, and showcases achievements to drive progress.

Sheik Mohammed asked media outlets to help Arab society face current challenges through balanced coverage of the fast-changing socio-political world. He also urged the media to promote tolerance that spreads peace and helps revive Arab civilization.

Media does more than just share information. Research shows that positive media inspires people to become better citizens who help others. Understanding media’s potential to spread goodness widely is a vital part of its impact, rather than viewing it as just a negative influence.

The late Sheik Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan believed media was more than just communication—it was a humanitarian force that brought goodwill and peace. This philosophy still shapes the UAE’s media development approach.

The UAE recognizes several important ways media shapes society:

• Strengthening national identity and social cohesion
• Building pride in Emirati culture and heritage
• Improving collaboration and community involvement
• Making institutions and individuals accountable
• Creating platforms for different viewpoints

The UAE has become a global hub that shapes the content industry’s future under Sheik Mohammed’s leadership. It develops strategies to advance this vital sector and creates an ideal environment that attracts creative talent.

Programs like BRIDGE show the UAE’s dedication to responsible media. This initiative equips media professionals, promotes responsible journalism, and positions media as a force for development and positive change.

UAE Media Documents Nation’s Five-Decade Development Journey

Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid participated with the audience at GDMO’s annual gathering. He emphasized UAE media’s vital role in documenting the nation’s remarkable trip over five decades. Media institutions have grown substantially during this period to support this documentation effort.

The Government Communication Office started its operations under the Cabinet in 2008. Its responsibilities included proposing strategic communication plans and supporting federal entities. The office transformed into the UAE Government Communication Office in 2018, operating under the General Secretariat of the Cabinet. The UAE Government Media Office emerged in 2020 by bringing together the Office of Public Diplomacy, the Government Communication Office, and the Nation Brand Office.

UAE media has documented the nation’s progress extensively in multiple areas:

• Environmentally responsible initiatives where UAE prioritized global SDGs and positioned itself to promote environmental protection
• Economic diversification and growth helped UAE become globally recognized in over 220 categories. These categories span economic performance, investment, state-of-the-art technology, and environmentally responsible development
• Cultural achievements and national identity formation

The media sector demonstrates remarkable growth. UAE Media Council issued more than 9,000 media licenses and 600 social media licenses in 2024. The council helped bring nearly half a million titles into UAE markets during the first six months alone.

UAE print media mirrors the country’s profound developmental changes. Editorial boards have dedicated extensive coverage to local issues. The National Committee created specialized councils and committees to encourage sustainable development.

The UAE government recognizes media’s vital role in sharing developmental progress across international sectors. These sectors include investment, economics, social welfare, technology, and state-of-the-art solutions. This aligns with the broader vision in “We the UAE 2031” and “Principles of the 50” that shape the nation’s development path.

Dubai Transforms into Global Hub for Media Innovation

Dubai has become a global hub for media innovation under His Highness Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s visionary leadership. The city achieved this through careful planning and building resilient infrastructure.

His Highness Sheik Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, launched the Media Leadership Program. This strategic move will shape a new generation of media leaders. The nine-month program partners with world-renowned institutions like MIT, George Washington University, and Columbia University. It helps enhance strategic thinking and leadership capabilities in government communication.

The emirate’s media landscape has grown significantly. More than 4,000 media organizations now call Dubai home, with thousands of professionals working in media disciplines of all types. Law No. (29) of 2024 has given the Dubai Media Council expanded powers to develop and oversee the emirate’s media sector.

Dubai claimed the top spot globally among 115 cities for FDI capital inflows into cultural and creative industries projects in 2023. The city outperformed major hubs like London, New York, and Singapore. The emirate drew 898 FDI projects in this sector—nearly twice the previous year’s number. Total capital inflows reached AED 11.8 billion, showing a 60% increase. These investments created 21,563 new job opportunities, up 74% from 2022.

Dubai has positioned itself as a media innovation powerhouse through several key initiatives:

• The UAE Media Council and Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council started the ‘Media Apprenticeship’ program for Emirati graduates and professionals
• The Dubai Media Council created the ‘Emirati Media Talent Pledge’ to develop national media talent for private sector careers
• ‘One Media Dubai’ now serves as a detailed service hub for media professionals and organizations
• Al Quoz Creative Zone and Dubai Production City offer specialized infrastructure for creative professionals

These programs line up with the Dubai Creative Economy Strategy to make Dubai the world’s creative economy capital by 2026. The city continues to strengthen its position as a global center for media innovation and creative talent development through these initiatives.

Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s vision has turned Dubai into a bustling global media hub. More than 4,000 media organizations now call Dubai home, attracting significant foreign investments. The emirate has become the preferred destination for cultural and creative industry investments. It now outperforms traditional powerhouses like London and New York, thanks to successful programs like the Media Leadership Program and One Media Dubai.

UAE media serves as both a witness and driver of national development. Media institutions support the nation’s growth through specialized councils and detailed documentation efforts. Their strategic communication initiatives boost progress in economic, social, and cultural spheres.

Dubai stands as the life-blood of global media excellence. The leadership’s steadfast dedication to promoting media breakthroughs makes this possible. Significant investments in resilient infrastructure and talent development programs strengthen this position. These achievements line up with Dubai Creative Economy Strategy’s vision to make the emirate the world’s creative economy capital by 2026. They also advance the broader goals outlined in “We the UAE 2031.”