In the presence of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, the Dubai Media Council platform hosted His Highness Sheikh Hasher bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Media Foundation, at the Arab Media Summit 2025. This session, titled “Dialogue with Media Pioneers and Inspiration,” featured an interview conducted by Hamad bin Karam, Editor-in-Chief of Al-Bayan newspaper. The discussion highlighted key milestones in His Highness’s life, his beginnings in the media sector, and the transformative journey of Dubai into a regional and global media hub.
Also attending the session were His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah bin Baty Al Hamid, Head of the National Media Office, Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice President and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council, President of the Dubai Press Club, and Chair of the Arab Media Summit organizing committee, along with Nihal Badri, Secretary-General of the Dubai Media Council, and numerous leaders in the UAE media and young journalists.
His Highness Sheikh Hasher bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum shared that he began his media career in television production before transitioning to journalism. He mentioned that during his school years, he wrote news articles for the school’s bulletin and received encouragement from his teachers to deliver morning speeches, which inspired him to pursue a career in media.
He further noted that after graduating from the UK in television production, he studied journalism and completed an internship at The Times, gaining valuable insights that shaped his professional vision. Upon returning to the country before the union, he observed a lack of local newspapers, with the Dubai Municipality only publishing a newspaper called “Dubai News.” He began working in the municipality’s media division, which was responsible for this publication, alongside just one other employee. This marked the inception of official media in the emirate, which later evolved into the launch of Dubai Television post-union.
He explained that after the decision to establish Al-Bayan in Dubai under the guidance of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, he worked diligently daily across both the television station and newspaper. He attended editorial meetings every morning at the newspaper to compare its published content with that of other local publications for quality and relevance. Following that, he would head to the television station, returning in the evening to monitor the newspaper until printing time.
His Highness underscored his belief that media serves not merely as a means of news transmission but as a reflection of civilization and the voice of the nation. He emphasized that Dubai not only keeps pace with change but actively participates in its creation. He encouraged newspapers and television and radio stations to adapt to shifts in the sector by enhancing their capabilities and those of their personnel in order to meet the current and future demands. He noted that success today belongs to those who can blend traditional and new media effectively, providing professional content that is contemporary and intellectually respectful.
He highlighted the importance of learning from the experiences of media pioneers, asserting that while celebrating them is crucial, the greater significance lies in leveraging their extensive field knowledge, which cannot be taught through formal education or universities.
He stressed that media professionals need to be specialized and knowledgeable—such as a sports journalist who is well-versed in sports media, as well as corresponding specialists in economics, the arts, and other domains. He pointed out that one of the main challenges in media management is selecting the right individual for the appropriate role or program.
Finally, His Highness Sheikh Hasher bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum called for the launch of dedicated guidance programs aimed at the youth and all segments of society to deliver content that raises public awareness. He reiterated the importance of enhancing the quality of media work through the development and skill enhancement of media personnel.