Dubai: Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Authority (NMA), emphasized that the UAE considers media as a sovereign investment in social stability, rather than merely a secondary sector. He highlighted that the leadership in the UAE views media as a strategic partner in shaping the future, contributing significantly to raising awareness, building trust, and strengthening social cohesion.
According to Emirates News Agency, Al Hamed explained that the UAE manages its national media through a governance-based approach, equipping it with professional tools to influence society. This approach has enabled media to become a bridge for communication, a driver of sustainable development, and a form of soft power capable of transforming discourse into impactful actions and visions into reality. He made these remarks during a keynote session at the Dubai International Project Management Forum, titled ‘Building Bridges Between Communities: Media As a National Ecosystem for Impact leadership | Governance | impact creation’.
He stressed that media today acts as the soft infrastructure that shapes understanding among people, likening it to an invisible bridge upon which societal awareness is built. He cautioned that if this infrastructure is not managed wisely, it may lead to division rather than cohesion. Al Hamed warned of the dangers of ill-considered media, which can create rifts within society, and emphasized the necessity of a professional media system that respects human diversity and manages differences strategically.
Al Hamed noted that effective media does not exclude or marginalize voices but creates a shared language for constructive dialogue. He affirmed that a cohesive and stable society is supported by media that explains and clarifies, rather than incites or provokes. He further stressed that modern media is not just a tool for conveying messages but an integrated national project aimed at building societal rapprochement and a resilient social fabric.
He emphasized that responsible media should not focus on short-term gains but invest in the future, noting that current global polarization results from hasty media discourse feeding division. The strength of conscious media, he pointed out, is in its ability to manage cultural diversity without undermining societal unity, guiding public thought towards the public good.
Al Hamed discussed the importance of media in building societal bridges by speaking the truth in inclusive language, with well-managed media serving as a calming force during crises. He highlighted the threat of misinformation as a direct danger to societal trust, which he described as a valuable national asset.
He advocated for proactive media risk management, stressing that uncalculated media messages carry real costs to national projects and can negatively impact comprehensive development. He defined sustainable media as being governed by values and ethics, rather than legal texts, measuring success by the media’s ability to protect trust and safeguard credibility.
Al Hamed concluded that media should not embellish reality but contextualize challenges to strengthen trust. He stated that consolidating national reputation is a deep process shaped by behavior and balanced discourse, with a country’s image built on credible information. He noted that national reputation represents a long-term asset shaped by every detail experienced by individuals, stressing the importance of aligning words and actions to earn international trust.
He concluded by affirming that media serves as a sovereign interface translating national aspirations to the world, with its impact becoming a lasting imprint in history when managed as an integrated system.