What is the role of the media in this critical stage of the UAEs history?
The media has a fundamental role. People do not know much about democracy and elections. The media should educate the people. But unfortunately the media is not doing enough in this regard. Will this council be able to assume a role in boosting the freedom of expression, even though the Journalists Association is not represented in it? It [the National Media Council] has no role in boosting the freedom of expression. But it will not have a role in the future. How? If it has any role it will be limited. I really don’t know what the criteria were for selecting the members of the National Media Council. Even the vision and the objectives of the council were set by a foreign institution. I understand the media is a local entity, which must reflect the country’s culture and must adopt its goals. Absolutely right. This evolves from the local people, according to their needs, wants and hardships. It is not a blueprint for a company. It is the future of the nation. If you want democracy, there
