In celebration of Media Professionals Day, the Dr Hanan Youssef Cultural Salon, under the esteemed patronage of the Arab Organisation for Dialogue, recently convened its 66th session.
The event, held under the compelling slogan “Media Professionals: Rights and Duties,” fostered a crucial dialogue aimed at advancing the media profession and empowering its practitioners.
During the session, Dr Hanan Youssef, president of the salon and a distinguished media professor, proudly announced the launch of a new initiative titled “What Do We Want from the Media?!”
The session began with Youssef extending heartfelt congratulations to all media professionals on the 91st anniversary of Media Professionals Day, observed annually on May 31st to commemorate the launch of Egyptian Radio.
Youssef emphasised that the chosen theme for this session underscored the profound importance of media in society, particularly its focus on the human element-media professionals-and their essential rights and duties in developing the profession to fulfill its true mission.
The salon facilitated in-depth discussions on a range of issues vital to the media profession and the rights and responsibilities of media professionals in society.
Key topics included the urgent need to modernise media college curricula with new courses aligned with contemporary demands, such as artificial intelligence, corporate communication, and specialised media. Participants also stressed the importance of regulating student admissions to media colleges to ensure a healthy balance between the supply of graduates and the demand within the media market.
A critical discussion focused on the need for open dialogues and listening sessions to explore the rights of media college graduates to gain membership in specialised unions, such as the Syndicate of Journalists and Media Professionals, mirroring practices in other professions, and to enhance their professional performance.
Additionally, a strong emphasis was placed on the responsibility of media professionals to continuously develop their capabilities and fulfill their duties.
This includes acquiring a deep understanding of culture, science, and technology to produce authentic media messages that contribute to societal advancement and development.
The vital role of media in shaping public awareness and promoting dialogue and democratic values was also underscored.
Distinguished media experts and specialists contributed to the symposium, addressing topics such as freedom of expression, the right to access information, and the crucial need for protecting journalists in challenging circumstances. The discussions also highlighted the paramount importance of media professionals adhering to professional ethics and their duty to provide accurate and reliable information.
The symposium featured compelling personal accounts from journalists and media college graduates who shared significant career challenges, generating considerable audience engagement. Dedicated time for questions and discussions allowed all attendees to express their opinions and concerns freely.
Attendees unanimously affirmed the cultural salon’s growing significance as a vital platform for the exchange of ideas and experiences, especially in light of the current challenges facing the media. The overarching aim is to enhance community awareness of the pivotal role media professionals play in disseminating truth.
The discussions further underscored the importance of fostering co-operation between media and academic institutions, alongside developing educational programs designed to bolster the media skills of young professionals. The call for solidarity among media professionals in confronting obstacles to their work was also emphasised. Participants urged sustained efforts to champion the rights of media professionals and to cultivate a safe and encouraging environment for those in this vital field. The salon also featured presentations on media landscapes in Iraq and Algeria, offering valuable regional perspectives, and contributions from attendees across various Arab countries enriched the discourse.
Concluding the insightful session, Hanan Youssef officially launched the salon’s initiative, “What Do We Want from the Media?!” This initiative poses a fundamental question from the participants, aiming to define society’s vision for the media’s role. It seeks to elevate the media’s importance in all development plans, approaching it with a scientific and strategic perspective. A series of significant recommendations will be compiled and submitted to relevant authorities, including the Journalists and Media Professionals Syndicates, the Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Higher Education, and various media institutions. Additionally, media committees in the House of Representatives and Senate, as well as those involved in the national dialogue, have stressed the importance of recognising the media’s profound role in reform and development.
Participants advocated for holding dedicated hearings on this topic with relevant stakeholders, conducting them in a scientific, professional, and in-depth manner to effectively address the problems confronting the media profession. Further new recommendations will be presented to decision-makers in their respective fields across various entities. The Cultural Salon was graced by a distinguished assembly of prominent intellectuals, academics, media professionals, and politicians from Egypt and the broader Arab world.
Notable attendees included leading media professors from Cairo University: Prof. Dr Laila Abdel Majeed, Prof. Dr Mona El-Hadidi; Hussein El-Zanati, head of the Registration Committee at the Journalists Syndicate; Minister Plenipotentiary Dr Raed Al-Jabouri, Iraqi media expert and diplomat at the Arab League; Dr Mustafa Rashid, Assistant President of the Maritime Academy; Ambassador Dr Youssef El-Sharkawy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and from Algeria, Prof. Dr Ibtissam Rais, Professor of Media and Media Professionals; Dr Ahmed Boudaoud; Dr Wael Badawi, Professor of Artificial Intelligence in Egypt; and members of the Arab Organisation for Dialogue, the Arab Union for Media and Culture, and the Cultural Salon. A number of aspiring young media professionals were also in attendance. The symposium was characterized by a positive and interactive atmosphere, culminating in new visions and innovative ideas aimed at developing the media landscape in society.
The salon concluded with a captivating performance of the song “Picture” by young singer Nada El-Mansi, a member of the cultural salon, which was met with widespread acclaim from the audience and contributed to the interactive Arab ambiance.
