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Curtains came down today on the three-day International Government Communication Forum 2014 (IGCF 2014) organised by Sharjah Media Centre (SMC) at Expo Centre Sharjah with a significant question for audiences and members of the public on how they perceive the future of government communications.
Led by the eminent Arab television personality and journalist Dawood Al-Shirian, the session highlighted the challenges and issues facing communication between governments and the public.
Al-Shirian said: “Understanding the relationship between the government and the public is critical given that sharing information and knowledge is a source of empowerment. People should actively engage with the government in ensuring that they get the best services from their leaders and avoid pitfalls of miscommunication and frustration.”
Al-Shirian added: “Involving people in the crisis between governments is not a good idea. Sadly, this is the situation in the Middle East today. The government is a mediator that, with the right intent, can help people secure the best possible services for a better life. I reiterate that using transparent communication methods validates trust and helps deliver public feedback directly to the government. The freedom to express public opinion through social media has become integral to a healthy and prosperous relationship between a government and its people.”
Shifting focus to the relationship between regional governments and the media, Al-Shirian said: “A difference of ideology between the government and the media of any country will adversely affect the relationship between the people and the state. The government’s job is to service and represent the people in the best way possible - this relationship must stay strong and open through honest communication on both sides to ensure greater public good.”
Commending the UAE’s open policy of embracing social media, Al-Shirian said: “The UAE communicates openly and directly with its people. Being accessible to the public 24/7 at least via online platforms is important to improve the confidence the people have in the government. The UAE’s liberal approach towards the media has ensured its leadership status in the region. High levels of social criticism are an indicator of the healthy respect that exists in the country between the government and the media”.
He concluded: “Highlighting projects from a critical point of view is of value for governments which can channel such feedback towards positive results in the future.”
The first regional government communication event was organised by SMC in 2012. The forum discussed relevant communication challenges that were triggered by the socio-political occurrences in the Arab world. IGCF 2014 is a first-of-its-kind event that articulates SMC’s efforts to develop government communication mechanisms for the benefit of government institutions in the UAE and wider region.
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