Today's Edition
SAYYID SALAMA HASSAN (ABU DHABI)
As part the second edition of the World Media Congress (WMC) 2023, TRENDS Research and Advisory Centre organised a panel discussion titled: “Youth, Education, and the Future of Media”, at the TRENDS pavilion at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), with the participation of a group of researchers, media enthusiasts, students, and content management specialists.
Also as part of its participation in the WMC, six episodes of TRENDS podcasts discussed climate, sustainability, and media issues from various perspectives, and the centre signed research agreements with five intellectual and media institutions.
Panel DiscussionThe panel discussion, moderated by Moza Al Marzooqi, Researcher and Head of Economic Studies at TRENDS, critically examined the production, circulation, and consumption of media in the contemporary world, focusing on the development of technology in digital media and its impact. The discussion also addressed the relationship between the youth, education, and the future of media on a global scale.
“Our youth, the builders of tomorrow, are a global force that transcends borders and cultures. To ensure a better future for them, we need to understand their diverse needs and aspirations, and the challenges they face,” Al Marzooqi said.
Al Marzooqi noted that the panel discussion forms a global platform for collaboration, overcoming differences, reaching a shared vision, and emphasised the importance of empowering youth through media awareness, representing a commitment to building a more cohesive and connected society.
Elyazia Al Hosani, Director of the Media Communication Office at TRENDS, stressed the role of scientific research centres and the media in addressing challenges, and noted that surveys showed that 90% of teenagers aged 13 to 17 use social media. Studies also show that 75% of teenagers have at least one active social media account, while 51% visit a social media site at least once a day.
With the emergence of social media, the media space has become chaotic and a fertile ground for misinformation, Al Hosani said, adding that the responsibility of research and think tanks lies in disseminating accurate and reliable information to bridge the knowledge gap that exists today. Research centres raise the banner of knowledge, lead the journey of development and discovery, uncover complex problems, and lay the foundation for a better future, she said.
Rashid Al Saadi, a student news correspondent and Vice President of the Dubai Technology Students Council, noted that social media has become a quick way to gather information, and that media is the greatest weapon, capable of shaping reality.
Engineer Khadija Al Shemaili, an expert in aerospace and aviation, mentioned that social media platforms are spaces we navigate, and the current generation uses these platforms as a paperless diary.
Al Shemaili indicated that online interactions have analogues to in-person communication; for example, retweeting is like giving a thumbs-up for approval. She emphasised the importance of social media rules for exchanging ideas and opinions positively, which increases awareness across platforms, and the necessity of accepting differences. She concluded by saying that youths shape social media and influence the future.
Abdullah Al Mulla, Director of Al Mulla Diwan, explained that the education is the common point between the youth, media, and the future, stressing the importance of cautiously sourcing and verifying the accuracy of information from artificial intelligence platforms.
The dialogue session witnessed significant interaction from the audience, who posed many questions to the speakers, sparking a lively discussion about the future of media and the role of youths in shaping it.
Media IndustryIn their responses, speakers emphasised the challenges facing the media industry amid technological developments, affirming the youths’ ability to contribute to facing these challenges by spreading awareness about the importance of verifying information before sharing it and enhancing critical analysis among the public.
Speakers affirmed the importance of skills like critical thinking, creativity, communication, and media production, as well as staying informed about the latest developments in the media industry.
The speakers also warned that despite its many uses and benefits, social media can also be a source of misinformation, and it is important for the youth to be aware of potential risks.
Role of YouthsThe discussion session concluded with several recommendations to enhance the youths’ role in the future of media, including educating young people about the importance of media awareness and critical thinking, developing educational programmes to help the youth use media responsibly, and supporting the production of high-quality media content targeting young people.
