NEWS:Du launches Social Media award

Dubai: du on Sunday launched Social Media Awards. Social Media practitioners can nominate their initiatives for the awards through www.du.ae/awards, until November 20. The Social Media Awards aim to achieve multiple objectives such as engaging with the youth and encouraging them to contribute positively to the UAE community through Social Media,; driving patriotic behaviour among the youth and instill a sense of belonging to the UAE and its leaders; showcasing positive practices by active community members on Social Media and; rewarding and celebrating role models who have contributed to driving positive change within the UAE.

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ARTICLES: Abu Dhabi Media Summit: what the Big Bird controversy means for children's media

Sesame Workshop CEO says children’s learning should be non-partisan; defends public-private partnership but calls for more federal backing.

Move over, Bill Gates. Who would have thought Big Bird would emerge as the most buzzed-about media figure at this week’s Abu Dhabi Media Summit?

The giant yellow avian icon, star of educational TV showSesame Street, hit the political landscape last week when US Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney ruffled feathers by singling out the show for potential federal funding cuts.

“Big Bird is fine. Being 8’2” tall he’s used to attention but not to this extent,” said Melvin Ming, president and CEO of Sesame Workshop, who spoke to the Abu Dhabi conference via satellite from New York.

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NEWS: Du supports Majid bin Mohammed Youth Media Awards for third consecutive year

HH Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, recognised Du's efforts to support the stars of the future at the Majid bin Mohammed Youth Media Awards.

Du's CEO, Osman Sultan was present at the ceremony and accepted the much-coveted award on behalf of the telecommunication company in the presence of Farid Faraidooni, Chief Commercial Officer, Du among other members of Du executive management.This is the third consecutive year that du has supported the Majid bin Mohammed Youth Media Awards, which this year was held under the title 'Reveal Your Talent'. 

To illustrate Du's longstanding commitment to spearheading the careers of Emirati youth, a video centering on the company's Brand and Communication team member Balqees Zainal - who was named 'Rising Star of the Year' at the 2011 Annual Arabian Computer News Arab Technology Awards - was played, chronicling the Emirati's roster of accomplishments in the sphere of Social Media.

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NEWS: Dubai Press Club To Spotlight Talent Of Emirati Youth In The Arts And Technology At 11th Arab Media Forum,Forum to Host over 60 Volunteers from Universities and Colleges

Dubai , UAE - April 25, 2012: Dubai Press Club (DPC), organisers of the Arab Media Forum (AMF), today announced the eleventh edition of the event will highlight the talent of Emirati youth at a special segment that showcases their skills in photography, mobile applications, utilizing technology to protect the environment, music, painting, graphic design and landscaping to an elite audience of regional and global media thought leaders.

Through its special focus on the Emirati youth, Dubai Press Club takes forward a core mandate to build the capacity of young UAE nationals and prepare a generation of competent media professionals across a variety of disciplines.

The initiative is the outcome of Dubai Press Club’s partnership with ‘Think Up’, a virtual social hub. Launched in 2011, Think Up is a Dubai-based entity that inspires and encourages the youth in the UAE and across the GCC to express their creativity. The organisation is committed to recognising talented individuals and positioning them as role models for the youth.

As part of its association with DPC, Think Up will additionally deploy a skilled team at the Arab Media Forum to run digital platforms during the event. Consequently, the sessions at AMF 2012 will be streamed through new media channels including the internet, mobile phones, and portable devices.

Arab Media Forum 2012 will run from 8-9 May at the Grand Hyatt in Dubai. Themed “Arab Media, Disclosure and Transition”, the event is set to bring together a galaxy ofintellectual thought-leaders, researchers, academics and media students.

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NEWS: Internet cafe ban planned for children (UAE)

DUBAI // Children under 18 would be banned from internet cafes under a plan by child-protection officers.

The proposal is being studied by the Social Affairs Minister, Mariam Al Roumi, the ministry's child department director Moza Al Shoomi said yesterday.

The proposed federal ban is aimed at protecting children from exploitation, Mrs Al Shoomi said. "We need to protect our children, especially young girls, from any abuse. These internet cafes are a danger zone."

Mrs Al Shoomi was speaking at the launch of a two-month awareness campaign by Dubai Police aimed at getting parents to educate their children about potential dangers on the internet.

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NEWS: Dubai Press Club looks for rising media stars

Dubai: A first-of-its-kind youth initiative to discover and invest in rising stars in the media was announced by Dubai Press Club yesterday.

Called ‘Youth Take the Stage', the competition allows students to participate in shaping the 11th annual Arab Media Forum, to be held in May under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The competition is open to media and communications students studying in UAE universities, giving them the opportunity to develop content and themes for a workshop during the forum.

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EVENTS: Event explores media's role on young minds (UAE)

DUBAI // The negative effects of the media on young minds will be discussed at the first GCC Youth Media Forum this week.

Organisers say the three-day conference is the result of a youth welfare strategy set by the leaders of GCC countries. Youth advocates have joined forces with print and broadcast professionals at the forum, which began yesterday at the Monarch Hotel in Dubai.

"This forum aims primarily to examine the negative effects of media on young people and suggest ways to address them in light of the changes in the Arab world and worldwide," said Ibrahim Abdul Malik, the secretary general of the Public Authority for Youth and Sports, in his opening address. "That is why the organising committee was keen to choose 'values' as the underlying theme for all seminars held during the forum."

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OPPORTUNITIES / FUNDING: Start-up program supports first-time filmmakers (MIDDLE EAST)

First-time filmmakers can apply for financial and production assistance.

The BLOOM! Cine Startups Initiative, sponsored by Canon Middle East and D-Seven Motion Pictures, will provide support to independent filmmakers through assistance with permits, fund raising, script editing and marketing. The initiative also includes access to cameras, freelance professionals and postproduction facilities for a substantially reduced cost. Short films are preferred, but documentaries and feature length films are also considered.

The accepted budgets for films ranges from AED30,000 to AED300,000. D-Seven Motion Pictures will then allocate a 50-70% discount. Five to seven projects will be accepted a year.

The ideal candidate would have a first draft script. The program is open to all nationalities and ages, but projects must have an angle relevant to the United Arab Emirates and the Arab world.

For more information, click here.

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NEWS: Dubai Press Club and Majid Bin Mohammed Youth Media Award ink partnership agreement

Dubai Press Club and Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Youth Media Awards have today signed a memorandum of understanding for partnership to support the professional growth of the winners in the award's various categories.

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NEWS / OBESITY: Media flayed for not doing enough about obesity (UAE)

Media flayed for not doing enough about obesity

Dubai : Speakers at a seminar today at Dubai Press Club on the role of the media in fighting obesity among UAE children said the media must play a pioneering role in not only removing the many deep-rooted misconceptions about excessive weight being an indicator of good health, but also in sensitizing advertisers against spreading erroneous notions about weight gain in children.

The seminar, held jointly by Dubai Press Club, the Ministry of Health and the UNICEF, saw a number of speakers enlightening the audience on the various health hazards and psychological impact of obesity among the children in the country.

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AWARDS: Winners of Sheikh Majed bin Mohammed Youth Media Award honored

WAM DUBAI, Apr. 27th, 2009: Winners of the 2009 Sheikh Majed bin Mohammed Youth Media Award were honored at a special ceremony in Jumeirah, Dubai by Sheikh Majid himself.

First introduced in 2008 as part of an extended initiative to promote Emirati talents in the region, the more-then AED 1 million award recognizes the merits of young talents working within the media sector in the UAE.

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