DPC Workshop Sheds Light On Radio's Pivotal Role In Fighting Misinformation
Session by Arabian Radio Network Discusses Future of Radio in The Digital Age
As part of the ongoing Media National Youth Programme (MNYP), Dubai Press Club (DPC), in collaboration with the Arabian Radio Network (ARN), held a workshop discussing the future opportunities for radio and its essential role in fighting the spread of misinformation.
The session, which was organised at ARN’s headquarters in Dubai Media City, was presented by Mahmoud Al Rasheed, General Manager, Arabian Radio Network, who stressed that the radio industry has many promising opportunities that ensure its continuity and development.
The workshop included an overview about the network, which consists of nine FM radio stations with over three million daily listeners. As part of the session, participants of the MNYP, which is being held in partnership between DPC and Watani Al Emarat Foundation, were taken on a tour inside the production studios and were able to learn about the network’s main operations, including the various technologies and advanced equipment being used.
Director of Dubai Press Club Maitha Buhumaid said: “For the second Media National youth Programme, we wanted to ensure that the workshops covered different media disciplines, such as audio broadcasting, print journalism and TV.” She added that the Programme’s specialised workshops and lectures have been designed in partnership with DPC’s wide range of strategic partners, which include prestigious academic and media institutions in the country.
Buhumaid also expressed her appreciation for the influential role played by the Arabian Radio Network in disseminating positive messages and accurate information that concern members of the public.
During the session, Al Rasheed discussed the role of technology in paving the way for how audio content is presented. He highlighted how ARN has been able to absorb newer technologies to reach wider segments of the community and adapted itself to the tastes of the newer generations of listeners.
Al Rasheed also pointed out to radio’s pivotal role in fighting rumors and misinformation. He also stressed the need for media organisations in the country to carry out awareness campaigns that highlight the important national events in the country. Radio as a medium, he said, has immense influence over society. ARN’s experience is that their radio channels have brought people of different nationalities together by highlighting UAE’s culture.
Al Rasheed said as many as 93 per cent of residents in the UAE still listen to radio channels for news and entertainment, according to a Nielsen study commissioned by Deloitte. ARN itself has 4.3 million listeners, out of this 93 per cent, which is a huge size, he added.
Al Rasheed also touched on podcasts and said it was not going to replace radio but would complement the traditional radio format. The reality is that podcasting is only a small version of broadcast as a digital platform. He explained that ARN, the world's largest multi-lingual radio network, has adapted to the digital age and started making podcasts in 2010. ARN, he said, always seeks to provide its listeners with innovative content.
Running until July 2019, the Media National Youth Programme aims to create a comprehensive platform for young Emirati media professionals to enhance their knowledge, expertise and skills in media. The Programme features a series of workshops in collaboration with leading academic and media institutions in the country.
