New National Media Council charter to focus on transparency and tolerance

ABU DHABI // The National Media Council (NMC) confirmed its new charter on Sunday, focused on objective and transparent media while promoting a culture of tolerance.

The strategic plan for 2017 to 2021 was approved during a board meeting at the Dubai Government Media Office. It was presided over by Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State and chairman of the NMC board.

The plan aims to regulate the UAE media sector, provide support to the relevant entities, manage the country’s reputation and achievements in local and international media and maintain a progressive news media environment, state news agency Wam said.

The board members applauded the Dubai Press Club’s recent launch of the Media Leadership Programme, in cooperation with the National Defence College in Abu Dhabi.

Dr Al Jaber described the initiative as “a step forward in building national capabilities by providing training opportunities and continuous education to develop the skills of youth and to prepare them to assume leading positions in media organisations”.

He renewed the council’s commitment to supporting national initiatives and to promote cooperation among the media and academic sectors.

The board also approved the NMC’s public services charter, which aims to align national media organisations’ objectives with the priorities of the Government and help to realise the UAE Vision 2021.

Dr Al Jaber said the charter’s main goal was to ensure provision of “competitive, inclusive and professional media content” that complied with the highest standards of objectivity, transparency and integrity.

It called for presenting the country’s image as “a haven for tolerance, a place where different cultures coexist, and a country that guarantees the highest levels of freedom and acceptance of other cultures, far removed from extremism and racism”.

newsdesk@thenational.ae