Discussions at the Arab Media Summit 2025 in Dubai draw inspiration from the philosophy of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai. He articulated principles of responsible media practice in the seventh directive of his book “My Vision,” addressing decision-makers with an imperative: “
Communicate and be optimistic! Enhance your reputation and share your aspirations and capabilities with the world. Some governments perceive media communication as a supplementary function that can sometimes be bothersome.” He further emphasized, “I tell them it is essential and core.
Announce your objectives through the media; as they will hold you accountable, which ultimately benefits you, compelling you to invest considerable effort into fulfilling your commitments. Media serves as a friend to the diligent achiever and an adversary to the indolent and corrupt.”
In alignment with his vision, the summit will explore significant developments and challenges that Arab media must address amidst rapid geopolitical, economic, and technological changes. The discussions will feature leading media professionals from around the globe, upholding the highest standards of transparency and credibility, adhering to His Highness’s advocacy against the notion that media functions are merely supplementary and sometimes excessive.
Additionally, the summit will delve into the concept of “media phobia,” which affects some officials, reinforcing the principle that media is a crucial partner, whose role in supporting development processes and government strategies should not be overlooked.
Principles of Transparency
His Highness’s commentary stresses that responsible governments must operate on a foundation of awareness regarding the significance of media and its primary functions, enabling them to cultivate a positive image in the eyes of the community. This inherently requires the establishment of transparency principles, a belief in the necessity of information dissemination, and the obligation to share factual realities with the public.
According to the directive, this approach ultimately leads to public support for government policies and decisions, aligning citizens behind their implementation once they grasp the rationale behind these choices.
The seventh directive asserts that publicly declaring objectives via media will serve as a fundamental element in achieving these goals, stating, “Announce your goals because you will be held accountable; this benefits you, as it compels you to spare no effort in achieving what you have committed to before the public.”
This concept demonstrates a progressive view of the media’s oversight role, which helps inform governments about realities and illuminate their path. Therefore, only corrupt or ineffective administrations should fear it.
A Roadmap
The seventh directive serves as a fundamental media roadmap that Dubai is committed to, reinforcing that officials should open their hearts to the public by honestly sharing bare truths, without erecting barriers or withholding information. It is based on the principle that society is an integral partner that cannot be sidelined or censored.
A close reading of the directive suggests that His Highness views media as a cornerstone of effective governance; thus, a conscientious official who strives to fulfill their responsibilities has no reason to fear media, and instead welcomes it as a bridge between them and the populace. This directive also reflects His Highness’s trust in local media as a national contributor supporting development initiatives within the UAE.
His Highness outlines essential attributes that media should embody, including transparency, honesty, responsibility, ethical and national commitment, and a dedication to independence.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s vision underlines the significance of the media forum that convenes at a time marked by profound and critical changes in the Arab world, undoubtedly contributing to dispelling the anxiety and apprehension some governments have towards media.
The “seventh directive” positions the freedom of information exchange and expression, as enshrined in the UAE Constitution, within its rightful context, transitioning it from theoretical principles to practical application, which the nation embraces and has enabled it to secure a prestigious media standing within the Arab region and globally.
Objectivity and Accuracy
The directive highlights the need for media professionals to uphold objectivity and accuracy, shedding light on both positive and negative aspects. Neutrality is a fundamental principle of media practice; if compromised, media may deviate from its intended role and may even become detrimental to the nation.
In this context, media is not an adversary; it serves as a lamp illuminating objective truths for the public, signifying that the conscience of a journalist guides their professional performance and remains their enduring beacon under any circumstances.
According to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s perspective, constructive media is a genuine partner in our journey towards the future, clarifying positions, presenting truths, and educating the public about their rights while instilling awareness of their duties and responsibilities in a collective mission to achieve success at every level.
Moreover, communication encompasses relationships and inspiration, not merely the transfer of information. It’s vital for building interconnected relationships and executing organizational strategy, despite being one of the most challenging leadership skills to master – easy to talk about but hard to implement.
It’s essential for leaders to convey their vision, organizational goals, and values clearly through both verbal and written communication, as well as their actions. However, many underestimate that the importance of a message goes beyond its content; the manner in which it is delivered holds equal significance.
A Philosophical Outlook
His Highness’s vision emphasizes the importance of information sharing and the leader’s need to clearly present their organization’s strategy, including its speed, direction, and anticipated outcomes. Communication must exhibit humility and passion, as its impact surpasses that of word choice.
Academics and experts assert that Dubai has early on embraced the philosophy of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum regarding media. Consequently, the offices of senior officials in the emirate remain consistently open to those seeking the truth, whether they come from local, Arab, or international media.
Dr. Mohammad Ahmad Abdul Rahman, Director of Al Wasl University in Dubai, stated that the seventh directive of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum represents a clear roadmap for both media professionals and decision-makers, reflecting a firm belief in the media’s role as a central tool for fostering societal awareness, revealing truths, and highlighting areas of success and shortcomings. This perspective showcases the transparency of the wise leadership and their profound faith in the significance of ethical and professional media.
A Strategic Framework
The Director of Al Wasl University emphasized that the directive is not merely an ethical guideline but also a strategic framework that binds media professionals to uphold the highest levels of professionalism, adhere to national values, and strive to achieve the best quality standards, making this directive a pivotal reference for media institutions in the region.
He added that the relevance of this directive is renewed with the upcoming Arab Media Summit 2025, serving as a dynamic platform for discussing the future of media in the Arab world and an opportunity to reaffirm these principles while enhancing understanding between media and governments to serve societal interests and bolster the credibility of media discourse in facing rapid challenges.
An Executive Roadmap
Professor Dr. Sayed Bakhit, a media and journalism professor at Zayed University, believes that the directive from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum reflects a wise philosophical outlook on managing the relationship between media and decision-makers, founded on transparency and the courage to engage with the public candidly, integrating society as a genuine partner in decision-making.
He emphasized the urgent need to adopt this philosophy as a basis for media work within government institutions, especially in light of accelerating geopolitical and technological shifts, asserting that implementing the directive requires a clear executive roadmap including several fundamental mechanisms, such as:
The necessity for government institutions to adhere to proactive information disclosure policies and facilitate access for journalists and the public to data, thereby building trust and countering rumors, which can be accomplished through interactive media platforms and regular updates of information.
He highlighted the importance of scheduling periodic meetings between officials and journalists, allowing officials to present their objectives and plans before the public, thus fostering a culture of voluntary accountability and creating a transparent environment that benefits society. Additionally, he stresses the need to involve journalists in discussions on public policies from their initial stages, enabling media to fulfill its constructive oversight role and enhancing societal dialogue.
He added that the Arab Media Forum held during the Dubai Summit 2025 is an exemplary platform for practically applying these mechanisms, where journalists and decision-makers convene to discuss transparency challenges and information sharing, and work on developing a media charter that solidifies these values.
He stressed that activating the directive from His Highness requires a methodological change in the philosophy of media work, which starts from a shared conviction among all stakeholders regarding the significance of media as a partner in growth and in building collective awareness—a goal the Arab Media Summit strives to institutionalize as a sustainable practical reality amidst the rapidly evolving landscape of Arab media.
A Genuine Partner
Dr. Saleh Sulaiman Al-Hammouri, a training and development expert at Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government, remarked that with the advent of the Internet, social media, and advanced applications amid the Fourth Industrial Revolution, media has assumed a fundamental role as a means to connect instantly with society and its local and global audiences.
It has become impossible to conceal or manipulate any truths, and institutions are focusing on engaging society as a stakeholder while every entity should build an effective partnership with media, recognizing its value and impact as a vital component of an integrated developmental framework aimed at serving the nation rather than getting lost in confusion or scattering facts, which could lead to institutional and national failures in achieving their vision.
Academics:
Wise philosophical outlook in managing the relationship between media and decision-makers
Mohammad Abdul Rahman:
The seventh directive is a clear roadmap for media professionals and decision-makers
Sayed Bakhit:
A vision based on transparency and the courage to engage with the public candidly, involving society
Saleh Al-Hammouri:
Emphasizing the value and impact of media as a crucial element of an integrated developmental framework