Media

Abdullah Al Hamed, president of the National Media Authority, launched the ‘Smart Media Agents’ challenge as part of the eighth edition of the Arab Media Leaders Programme for Young People in Dubai, calling for the development of artificial intelligence solutions to improve the efficiency and credibility of media organisations. He stressed that trust built on accuracy, verification and transparency remains the media’s real capital.

In a message to Dubai’s community published in his book *The Messages*, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum set out seven rules centred on responsibility, respect for people, excellence, humility, optimism, doing good and loyalty to the nation. He said building a society around values and meaning was at the heart of Dubai’s experience and the basis for ensuring it remains a better place to live.

Mona Ghanem Al Marri announced the return of the Dubai Film Festival with a new vision, with its first edition focusing on Arab films. The festival aims to bring together filmmakers and creatives, provide space for young talent, and support dialogue and the exchange of expertise on the state and future of the industry in the region.

Saudi Minister of Information Salman Al-Dosari announced the launch of the Lions Riyadh festival, scheduled to take place at the King Abdullah Financial District from 6 to 8 December 2027. The event will bring together marketing executives, creative leaders, agencies, brands and emerging talent in a programme focused on marketing effectiveness and the future of the creative industries.

Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum honoured the winners in the Arab Media Award categories at a ceremony held in Dubai on the first day of Arab Media Summit 2026. The honours included Waleed Abdul Latif Al-Nisf as Media Personality of the Year and Inam Kachachi as Best Columnist, along with television programmes and Arab journalistic works.

Sky News Arabia said the Algerian authorities had withdrawn its bureau’s accreditation in the country, days after Algeria severed diplomatic ties with the United Arab Emirates. The decision came amid mounting tensions between the two countries, followed by Algerian measures including the closure of its airspace to Emirati aircraft, with a temporary exemption for certain commercial flights.

Three people were killed and a fourth was taken to hospital after a television station helicopter crashed in the Chatsworth area of Los Angeles while covering a separate collision between a vehicle and a public transit bus. Two federal agencies are investigating the cause of the crash and the fire that engulfed the helicopter.

Media reports have circulated information that Lebanese journalist Lara Habib has submitted her resignation from Al Arabiya, which she joined in 2006 and where she presented economic programmes and coverage. No further details have been announced about the reasons for her resignation or her next professional move.

The Arab Media Summit 2026 will host a group of writers and thinkers to sign their latest books as part of an accompanying cultural programme organised by the Dubai Press Club from 15 to 17 September at Dubai World Trade Centre. The programme will enable participants to meet the authors and learn about their intellectual and creative experiences. The summit is expected to attract 10,000 participants from the media, opinion-making, content and communications sectors.

Reports and social media posts have circulated saying that Lebanese media executive Ali Jaber informed MBC Group’s board and employees working with him of his decision to leave the group during a meeting held on 8 September 2026. No official announcement regarding the move was available.

Five presenters appeared on Al Jazeera newscasts over roughly six weeks, in a move combining the recruitment of experienced journalists from Arab channels with the promotion of journalists from within the network. The group includes Ranim Boukhzam, Ali Nashwan and Hussein Harb, along with Anas Al-Sabbar, who moved from reporting, and Jaafar Salamat, who moved from the newsroom.

French journalist Jean-François Leroy has died at the age of 69 after battling cancer, as the 38th edition of the Visa pour l’Image photojournalism festival he founded in 1989 and led for decades is taking place in Perpignan. He was a longstanding director and advocate for the work of photojournalists.

Egyptian broadcaster Amal El-Hanawy has been chosen by the ON network to host the new season of “The Last Word,” following her work on “Cairo News.” The program will continue to cover political and economic issues as well as local and regional affairs, while the network has yet to announce the final launch date.

The Dubai Press Club announced that Saida Mirziyoyeva, head of the Presidential Administration of Uzbekistan, will deliver a keynote at the Arab Media Summit, scheduled to take place in Dubai from September 15 to 17, 2026. Her session at the Government Communication Forum will address Uzbekistan’s experience and the role of media and institutional communication in supporting development and building trust.

Jordanian presenter Maryam al-Khatib announced the launch of her new program, “Cinema +,” on Jordanian television in August 2026, in an experience focused on artistic and cinematic content. The broadcaster has not yet published extensive details about the program’s airdate, segments or guests, nor clarified its relationship with “C Cinema.”

Saudi media personality Ali Al-Ghafili has announced his return to the MBC Group through a weekly talk show focused on the Saudi real estate market. “Jah Al Aqar” will host owners, developers, chief executives and policymakers, and will air on MBC FM and be available on the Shahid platform and the MBC Mood app.

Journalist Anas Al-Sabbar made his first appearance as a presenter on Al Jazeera, according to the Arab Media Faces platform, after a career covering events from the United States, where he worked with Sky News Arabia and later Al Jazeera.