Dr. Galal Hatem, Chancellor of Umm Al Quwain University, praised the symposium theme organized by the College of Mass Communication on November,15, titled “Uses of Social Media and New Media Techniques in Satellite TV Channels”. The guest speaker was Mr. Nasser Al-Tamimi, Head of Al-Assema TV.
The symposium, which was attended by a large number of Umm Al Quwain University’s professors and students, comes within the framework of a series of cultural activities and events organized by the College of Mass Communication aiming to spread and consolidate knowledge, debate and interaction on topics of interest to the public inside and outside the UAE.
Al-Tamimi stressed that in light of the change in the media map, its impact and spread, the traditional media is still appreciated by the older generations, while social media has increased among the youth. This issue threatens the status of traditional media, which should keep pace with these developments using alternative plans and innovative strategies targeting this important sector.
Al-Tamimi raised the point whether social media is an alternative or a competitor to traditional media. He concluded that traditional media has a high degree of confidence among public due to its commitment to the media code of honor, and achieving the proper professional standards which might be penetrated by social sites that target speed more than accuracy. He added that it can clearly noticed that media message is not moving in one-way, from the sender to the receiver, but media has become more interactive, and this can be achieved through applications that allow the audience to interact and participate.
Al-Tamimi said that the use of social media technologies develops television channels, which will be in the future a main part of social media, and they need to attract more viewers with various media content, and have pages and accounts on social media.
At the end of the symposium, Dr. Galal Hatem stated that, in light of the university's approach to linking the theoretical side with the practical one, a cooperation agreement had been signed between Umm Al Quwain University and Al Assema TV.