Podcast from Abu Dhabi - Hall 8
In this session, we will explore the concept of "News as it is" in light of the challenges facing modern media, where reality intersects with various interpretations and understandings.
We will discuss the role of journalism and media in conveying the truth with credibility and impartiality, compared to the various influences that may distort the news from its original course, whether through media manipulation, information distortion, or selective framing.
We will also touch on the responsibility of journalists to present news as it is, without bias, and the importance of verifying and fact-checking sources in light of the rapid spread of false information on social media platforms.
The session will include a discussion on the limits of objectivity in media, and how journalists can maintain professional integrity while continuing to capture the public's attention in the age of digital competition and alternative media.
Media Professional and CEO of Hattlan Media
The founder and CEO of Hattlan Media, a Dubai-based company specialising in research on new and social media in the Arab world, as well as media training and communication services. He previously served as CEO of the Arab Strategy Forum (ASF) and was a Senior Consultant to the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation and a Global Agenda Council member at the World Economic Forum.
A media veteran, Dr Al Hattlan has extensive expertise in GCC and Arab policies, international affairs, and global economy. He was formerly Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Arabia, Chairman of the Forbes CEO Middle East Forum, and an international media consultant for Saudi Arabia’s municipal elections (2005), as well as being a media consultant for SAGIA.
He has worked with ABC News, produced media projects on the Arab world, and written for major newspapers including the New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today, and Miami Herald. He hosted Gulf Talks on Al Hurra TV and now hosts a weekly show on Sky News Arabia, where he serves on its Advisory Board.
Dr Al Hattlan holds degrees from King Saud University, Marshall University, Georgetown University, and a PhD from Howard University, with a Post-Doctorate from Harvard University.
Author and Publisher
Jamal AlShehi is a writer and publisher, holding a Bachelor's degree in Humanities and a Master's degree from the United States. He founded Kuttab Publishing in 2010, aiming to support Emirati and Arab literature. He also opened Maqha Kuttab in Dubai, a space that combines a library with a cultural café. He writes regularly for Al-Ittihad and Gulf News, and has authored novels and short story collections for children, including From the Notebook of a Mortician and the Diary of a Troublemaker series. He is the Secretary-General of the Emirates Novel Award and a board member of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library. Additionally, he hosts the Boh podcast on the Edrak Media platform, where he interviews influential figures in society.