A conversation between leading international journalists Richard Quest of CNN and Faisal Abbas of Arab News will address the media’s role in fighting the pandemic and the challenges–and opportunities–in the new context created by Covid-19. The live Zoom talk at 5:00 p.m. UAE time on 15 March is part of Abu Dhabi Festival’s annual Young Media Leaders Forum, this year in partnership with American University of Sharjah (AUS), empowering youth in developing the skills and knowledge to prepare for careers in the media industry.
Registration for "Media Voices From the Pandemic"is open to the public and available via Zoom.
H.E. Huda I. Alkhamis-Kanoo, Founder of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation and Artistic Director of Abu Dhabi Festival, said: “The media play a vital role in our ever-changing and growing society; therefore, it is more essential than ever to continue to invest in the youth to support further development. The platform lays the foundation of success for emerging media professionals through mentorship and skill enhancement within the diverse sector. Our Young Media Leaders platform provides the innovators and leaders of tomorrow with a path toward the thriving media scene.”
The Young Media Leaders forum is designed to engage young media talents and expose them to various sides of the media to build a better understanding and help them make an informed career decision, as well as provide students with mentorship and internship opportunities that will enable them to choose their future in the media industry.
Dr. Mahmoud Anabtawi, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at AUS, said: “Through its annual Abu Dhabi Festival,Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation’s support for the college in bringing high-profile journalists to share their professional experiences in dealing with the pandemic is highly appreciated. This upcoming online panel discussion is of huge interest not only for young media practitioners and students, but for the community at large. Media are key players in the fight against the pandemic.”
Faisal Abbas commented: “I appreciate the invitation ADMAF has extended to me to speak about the current situation of newsrooms, including the struggles and the decision-making process my team and I had all endured during the onset of the pandemic. I believe there’s always a lesson in every situation, and that is what makes you stronger as a team. Journalists were among those at the front lines reporting on it all from the very beginning, and so it is important to highlight the need for vital and accurate information at a time when fake news is on the rise.”
This year’s edition is part of the 18th Abu Dhabi Festival under the theme The Future Starts Now.For more talks in the Forum and the complete 2021 Abu Dhabi Festival programme, visit: AbuDhabiFestival.ae and abudhabifestival.ae/programme/young-media-leaders, and follow the Festival on Facebook (abudhabifestival), Instagram (@abudhabifestival) and Twitter (@abudhabi_fest).