Virtual Interviewer Helps Kick Off Global Media Congress in UAE

Jerusalem, 15 November, 2022 (TPS) -- The Global Media Congress in the United Arab Emirates kicked off on Tuesday, bringing 1,200 journalists, media executives and publishers to Abu Dhabi.

The conference — the first in what is hoped will be an annual event — will enable people in the media industry to network, exchange ideas and explore areas of cooperation.

The conference opened with welcoming remarks by Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, and Her Excellency, Shamma Bint Suhail Faris Al Mazrui, Minister of State for Youth.

It also featured the Director-General of the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Mohammed Jalal Al Rayssi, being asked questions by a meta, or virtual reality, interviewer.

Explaining the significance of the conference, Al Rayssi said, “We felt it would be beneficial if we can all sit together and think outside the box. This will serve as an integrative platform, serving a bigger purpose to shape and reconstruct the media sector.”

Visitors to the Tazpit Press Service booth — the only Israeli booth at the convention — expressed surprise and delight to meet Israelis.

“At first, I was shocked to see Israel here,” said a 16-year-old visitor who asked to be identified only by his first name, Saif.  “But then I remembered that we are at peace with Israel. Israel is a peaceful country. We are at peace with them. We are working with them.”