Dubai to hold region’s first Facebook News Forum

The event will be attended by more than 200 journalists and other media professionals

Dubai will host the first Facebook News Forum on Wednesday, June 19th. AP

Dubai Press Club and Facebook will organise the region's first Facebook News Forum on Wednesday in Dubai.

Set to take place at Alserkal Avenue, the news event falls under the Facebook Journalism Project, an initiative that collaborates with publishers around the world through training, programmes and partnerships.

The forum, intended to develop journalism in the region, will be attended by more than 200 regional and international journalists, content creators, publishers and other media professionals.

The one-day event will provide training and highlight best practices on Facebook’s products to help participants learn new ways to engage with their audiences and embrace digital storytelling.

Regional and global speakers at the event will cover themes such as "How to Build your Community on Facebook", "Partner Value and Monetisation" and "Video and Social Viewing".

They will also include Instagram and IGTV for News, Crowd Tangle Analytics, Community Standards and Safety.

Award-winning investigative journalist Amjad Tadros will take part in a 30-minute chat.

Maitha Buhumaid, director of the press club, said that collaborating with the social media company fell within the objectives of the DPC to develop journalists’ skills and ensure they are qualified to carry out their work professionally.

"This co-operation reflects Dubai Press Club's keenness to play a positive role in supporting the media sector in the UAE and the Arab region through its network of partnerships across the world and through organising programmes and training courses," Ms Buhumaid said.

She said that such initiatives contributed to developing the talents of media professionals in the Arab world, allowing them to keep abreast of rapid changes in the industry.

Ms Buhumaid praised Facebook’s commitment in enhancing the quality of content on social media and fighting the spread of fake news.

"The Facebook News Forum is a valuable platform that will help explore and examine the challenges brought about by these rapid changes being witnessed in the region, and their impact on journalism,” she said.

Fares Akkad, director of media partnerships in the Middle East and Africa for Facebook, said: “The event underscores our continued commitment to the Middle East. It’s a diverse, vibrant and exciting region, full of opportunity for journalists and digital storytellers.

"Together with the Dubai Press Club, we hope to bring even more initiatives like this to the region."