Forceful debate

Our extensive coverage of the FNC highlights the ongoing importance of the council

Dr Mohammed Al Mazrouei, General Secretary of the FNC, and Mohammed Al Murr, the council’s Speaker, present Mohammed Al Otaiba, Editor-in-Chief of The National, with the award in Abu Dhabi. Sarah Dea / The NationalShow less

The honour accorded to this paper on Monday by the Federal National Council (FNC) is a testament to our coverage of the legislative body’s work. Over the years, we have profiled each member of the council and written about some of the chamber’s most forceful debates. We have taken a keen interest in the activities of the council because it is a place where we can evaluate the temperature of conversation on pressing issues that affect all of us.

Not everyone agrees with everything the FNC proposes. But their views contribute to an essential public conversation about issues that affect this country and society – from marriage and child safety to bank loans and football sponsorship.

More importantly, its work gives us the first glimpse of what the government is thinking about various issues and helps keep the responses of policymakers as sharp as possible.