Responsible media is a partner in shaping national identity and strengthening family cohesion

Chairman of the National Media Office and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Media Council, Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, stressed that responsible media is the vital artery that nourishes the values ​​of societal cohesion, and the impenetrable fortress that protects the family entity from the challenges of the times.

Abdullah Al Hamed said that sincere words and purposeful content are the first building block in building the stability of homes, and that conscious media is a true partner in shaping national identity and strengthening belonging, by highlighting inspiring stories and positive models that embody the values ​​of compassion, interconnectedness and family solidarity.

This came during a dialogue session organized by the Fifth Abu Dhabi Family Forum entitled “The Role of the Media and Influencers in Strengthening Family Cohesion and Building a Positive Image of the Nation,” in which he was interviewed by journalist Ahmed Al Yamahi.

The session highlighted the close relationship between the media message and family cohesion, and how the word can be a bridge that connects generations and preserves the valuable heritage in light of the successive challenges of the era.

At the beginning of the session, the head of the National Media Office stressed that the UAE considers the media an integral partner in the educational process and a safety valve for our society, noting that fortifying the family begins with creating media content that speaks to our values ​​and addresses the minds of our children responsibly, as a kind word is the first seed for the stability of homes.

Abdullah Al Hamed stressed that the family, in the thinking of our wise leadership, represents the nucleus of the national project and the basis of its sustainability. It is from it that stability begins, and with it awareness is maintained, and through its cohesion a state is built that knows how to advance without losing its value and humanity compass, stressing that the media and influencers have a pivotal role in supporting this trend, by presenting a responsible discourse that reinforces family values, establishes positive models that reflect the true image of the nation, and contributes to building a cohesive societal awareness capable of facing challenges. With confidence and poise.

Abdullah Al Hamed appreciated the great efforts made by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, “Mother of the Emirates”, President of the General Women’s Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation, in order to empower the family, pointing out that thanks to Her Highness’s well-established School of Giving, empowering the family has become a long-term civilized approach that has restored the family’s balance, its role for women, and childhood’s right to a conscious upbringing that creates a confident society. With its roots, it is able to preserve its values as it moves steadily towards the future.

Abdullah Al Hamed pointed out that the media and influencers today bear a direct responsibility in shaping the image of the nation and building family cohesion, as they are the makers of the first impression of the state internally and externally, stressing that balanced media discourse does not only reflect on the image of the nation, but rather contributes to strengthening confidence within the family and strengthening the stability of society.

He added that the image of the nation has become a direct product of the way we tell our stories across screens and platforms, stressing that every content published represents a contribution either to consolidating belonging and strengthening identity, or to weakening them, which imposes on media professionals and influencers a national responsibility that cannot be tolerated.

Abdullah Al Hamed touched on how social media influences the formation of trends and behavior change, pointing out that these platforms have become the primary source of shaping behavior among new generations and that their impact extends directly to the image of the family, the patterns of thinking within it, and the media awareness this requires that protects society and does not leave it hostage to passing influence.

He explained that building a positive national reputation through the media requires effective strategies that move the media from a position of reaction to a position of initiative, through a national narrative that leads the debate and does not merely pursue it, which is what the National Media Office is now working to consolidate, stressing the importance of investing in inspiring national content based on human stories and real-life achievements, in addition to developing networks of influencers who are able to work within a unified positive media system that reflects society’s values ​​and serves its priorities.

Abdullah Al Hamed advised influencers not to be led by the glamor of fame and to follow the “trend” at the expense of authentic values, stressing that the pursuit of momentary interaction or “comment” does not justify the adoption of artificial behaviors or customs that are inconsistent with our culture and traditions, stressing that we are all children of Sheikh Zayed, “may God rest his soul,” who grew up on a well-established system of values, respect and moderation, and that preserving these values is a moral responsibility. Patriotism must be clearly reflected in media content, not exaggerated for the sake of fleeting spread.

Abdullah Al Hamed concluded the session by emphasizing that responsible media and influencers constitute the first line of defense for national identity, and the strongest partner of the family in facing the challenges of the times. Addressing the influencers, he said: They represent the soft power of the nation, and that the word they express is trustworthy and responsible. He called on them to transform their platforms into platforms for construction, not shovels for demolition, that strengthen societal cohesion and defend the authentic heritage, thus presenting the world with an inspiring Emirati model for the family. Rooted in her identity and consciously open to her future.