SHARJAH // Governments in the region must accept that public information can no longer be controlled by the state.
That was the message from a senior BBC news anchor, Nik Gowing, on the final day of the International Government Communication Forum in Sharjah on Monday.
“Technology is threatening governments and counter-measures have to be put in place urgently,” Gowing said. “We merely preempt a small fraction of what is coming. The change is coming really fast. The trouble is, time is against governments.
“However, I am amazed at the way that governments continue to remain in denial. Those who are in power take things for granted just because they have been appointed or are in power again and again.
“This is a wholly irrational notion. About 80 to 90 per cent of people are still struggling and they can be called flat-Earthers. There is now continuous feedback on the actions of governments and you need to respond immediately.”
Delegates at the two-day conference also discussed the relationship between government and traditional media, and the rise of social media.
Alastair Campbell, who worked as director of communications for the former British prime minister, Tony Blair, said there were concerns in governments that the media had grown more aggressive and negative.
Mr Campbell said communication was not just about getting positive coverage but also reaching out to people.
“Don’t worry about the bad press, only worry about what you do or say,” he said.
Fadi Salem, director of governance and innovation at the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government in Dubai, said that until a few years ago sharing of information in the Arab world was highly restricted, with the government controlling channels of communication.
This has changed. The region has about 65 million social-media users and the numbers are growing every day. Of these, 70 per cent comprise the youth, who Mr Salem calls the major influencers.
“The UAE continues to encourage its citizens to use technology to communicate effectively with the Government,” he said.
“This strategy has helped the Government connect with its people effectively and creatively. The synergy has also allowed the Government to provide better services – an achievement not many other Arab countries have accomplished.”
The forum brought together leaders, government representatives and media professionals over two days in Sharjah.
Dr Sulaiman Al Hattlan, founder of Al Hattlan Media, said investing in social media was crucial.
“Arab governments have no other choice but to embrace social media,” Mr Al Hattlan said.
“The UAE has wisely invested in social media through delivering appropriate messages to its people, which has in turn positively impacted the Government’s services to the average UAE resident.”
Kathleen Carroll, executive editor of the Associated Press, told the forum that a free press was crucial.
“A free press plays a vital role in facilitating this dialogue, acting as a proxy for the ordinary people by channelling their questions and concerns to the Government, and the other way around too,” Carroll said.
A Saudi journalist, Daoud Al Sheryan, closed the conference by urging regional governments to give more freedom to the media.
ykakande@thenational.ae
