Covid-19 revives interest in trusted, fact-based reporting
UAE MEDIA EXPERTS SAY SOCIAL MEDIA ‘INFLUENCERS’ HAVE BEEN EXPOSED
The global disruption and uncertainty sparked by Covid-19 has resulted in more people turning to trusted news outlets for reliable information and guidance, UAE media experts say.
Journalists face the challenge of competing with social media content flow in terms of reader engagement while ensuring they report the facts. However, UAE media experts says this is a constant battle. They think that this sense of ‘either/or’ is flawed and one needs to look at the two together, from both a measurement and programming perspective.
‘Stop making idiotic influencers celebrities’ Sami Al Reyami, Editor of Emarat Al Youm
“Influencers were once certain that every action or picture or word published by them, regardless of the degree of its degradation, was a special thing that everyone should accept because they believed, no one can hold them accountable. But the responsibility also falls on society, for they contributed to making them celebrities and influencers of social media, so the message that must be passed on to everyone is ‘stop making the idiots celebrities’.
‘Ignorant people became independent channels’
Ibrahim Al Dhahli, Editor-in-chief of Asfaar
“As we witness a communications revolution in terms of the internet and the social media in all its forms, many persons became independent media channels broadcasting day and night. Unfortunately, a group of fools and ignorant people or socalled ‘influencers’ have come to the forefront of the scene at times.”
‘Influencers no longer have anything to offer people’
Mohammad Al Qubaisi, Founder and CEO of Gulf Media Network
“The so-called influencers, or fashionistas, have disappeared because their activities are purely commercial. Since everything related to trade was suspended, they no longer have anything to offer to the public. Today, traditional, professional media has become up-to-date, and has high-tech digital platforms, with social media accounts, and audio and video clips that are published the moment the news is released, which has made them stand out more deeply.:
‘UAE media needs government support’
Mohammad Yousuf, Emirati columnist and former chairman of UAE Journalists Association
“There is a critical need for government support for vulnerable media brands in the UAE, or they will disappear and we will be left with the alternative, or rumour incubator media,” he said. Yousuf added that the Covid-19 crisis has heralded the return of credible media. Those who work on social media will not be an alternative media because they lack the skills and fundamentals of this profession, including trusted and fact-based reporting. Yousuf said readers flock towards fact-based media, rather than the influencers, who are mostly associated with rumours and fake news.
‘Professional media must become faster’
Maryam Bin Fahd, Emirati media specialist
“It has become difficult for newspapers and televisions to continue with old systems of presenting the news. If we want the professional media to regain its strength, it must keep pace with development, become faster in disseminating information, work on investigative stories and strive to communicate with the public via modern means that fit their expectations. I expect that the printed media will end and move to modern platforms. However, the problem with digital media is Facebook and Google’s control of the advertising market.”
‘Social media spreads news, but journalists source it’ Maysa Ghadeer, Emirati columnist
“Professional media will survive, but it will have to change, evolve and merge with digital platforms to adapt to trends of content consumption. The constant barrage of new Covid-19 information, new cases and advice has been challenging to keep up with. It not only makes the story difficult to keep up with from a journalist’s perspective, it also makes it confusing for anyone trying to follow the story. Social media platforms make the sharing of information ubiquitous and nonstop, but journalists are the source of information in the first place.”
‘A pragmatic relationship’ Aisha Sultan, Emirati writer
“Today everyone goes to news and health platforms, because the news is useful, or they find what reassures them, it is a pragmatic relationship. People today stand before a big existential question as they think about salvation, and this of course is reflected in what they follow.”
‘Entertainment, not news’ Mohammed Al Khatib, Emirati media professional
“Social media, especially in the Arab world, have focused on entertainment and lifestyle brands more than news and what is useful to enrich the culture of society.”
‘Awareness has grown’
Ali Abu Al Rish, Emirati novelist and journalist
“The crisis has increased awareness, and revealed to people that information is only taken from the correct source — media outlets. Now people are aware that anyone can talk on social media platforms without any professional background, but the right source of information and news is the professional media.”