I spent most of this week at the World Governments Summit in Dubai – one of the leading global events that addresses current and future trends around the world, particularly when it comes to governance. While many of the speeches were insightful – particularly the one by the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on the danger of the “failed state” of social media – it was the side meetings and closed-door roundtables that really made the annual meeting stand out. Leaders from various sectors, from finance ministers, to captains of industry and university directors, convened and learnt from one another.
One such roundtable that I attended was dedicated to media and storytelling. It featured leaders of major news agencies and institutions, in addition to figures from the world of film and advertising. While the discussions were held under Chatham House rules and cannot be reported on directly, the themes were similar to those that many in the world of media are discussing. Changing audience behaviour, the growing interest in original and insightful coverage, depletion of ad revenues in favour of social media channels, competition for attention and wider technological shifts are all affecting how we are informed – and how newsrooms operate. The challenges are serious, as we all have to innovate with AI, while covering a manic news cycle. But the opportunities are also abundant – from forging new partnerships to reaching audiences in exceptionally new ways. This newsletter is emblematic of my own aspiration to make sure I can communicate directly with my most important stakeholder – you, the reader.
While I was still busy reflecting on WGS discussions, news broke of The Washington Post undergoing a major restructure, which includes letting go of 30 per cent of its newsroom. Decisions on resources and budgets are dreadful and difficult for most newsrooms, with traditional advertising depleted and layoffs a regular, painful occurrence. That is not the only shocking part, even if terribly sad. There is also the knock-on effect of the loss of entire foreign bureaus, and opinion writers on global affairs in Washington DC’s main newsroom. It signifies a further American disengagement from world affairs, from human interest stories around the globe that still matter. The Washington Post’s giving up on a global voice follows the closure of AlHurra television, America’s Arabic news channel, last year, which seems to be a further American retreat from a global conversation on how we collectively live, work and thrive together. And that is a world away from the vibrancy and richness of conversations we had here in the UAE during WGS.
Stories that defined the week
I hope you enjoy this week’s newsletter and please do write to me at eic@thenationalnews.com with any feedback.
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