Media

Abu Dhabi: Creating Culture

The development of a thriving media and creative content industry in Abu Dhabi remains an important issue not only for economic diversification and inward investment, but also for the emirate's goal of becoming a cultural centre. According to its Economic Vision 2030, released early this year, the government of Abu Dhabi intends to make quality media production and Arabic-language content, both of which many believe to be underserved in the region, an important growth engine for the future. Large investments will be made in media development – including electronic media – in the coming years, leading to a number of gains for the broader economy.

OnAir to supply Egypt Air with in-flight passenger communications services

OnAir, a provider of in-flight communications services, announced an agreement with EgyptAir which will see OnAir supplying the airline with full Mobile OnAir and Internet OnAir in-flight passenger communications services for its fleet of Airbus 330-300 aircraft which are to operate by August 2010 on European and North American routes. EgyptAir's passengers will be able to stay connected in-flight using their own mobile phones or smartphones to make and receive phone calls; send and receive text messages and emails; and access the Internet via either wireless of wired connections.

Three bidders compete for advertising in the underground metro

The Egyptian Underground Metro Operation Company started examination of proposals on advertising in the metro, according to Mohammad Shimi, the company's chairman. The race is now down to three competitors, including a French advertising company. The winner of the deal will be given concession for advertising on the underground walls for ten years for a 25 per cent fee to the underground company.

Iran, Qatar to raise media cooperation

Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hassan Qashqavi said Iran-Qatar brotherly relations merely seek to guarantee regional peace and security. Qashqavi along with an Iranian press delegation were in capital Doha to hold talks on strengthening media cooperation. The policy taken by Iran and Qatar pursues securing bilateral interests and officials of the two sides will ignore no efforts to improve cooperation, Qatar's daily newspaper Al-Sharq quoted him as saying to the reporters.

Saudi Minister Proposes Website Regulation, Considers Media Privatization

Minister of Culture and Information Dr Abd al-Aziz Khawjah revealed Saudi Arabia's intention to enact laws, regulation and legislation for newspapers and internet websites. The most important of the proposed legislation is for websites to require official licences to be granted by a special agency under the purview of the Ministry of Information. During a press conference Dr Khawjah confirmed the need for clear regulation and legislation with regards to websites and online journals as such controls will ensure that everything is run in the correct way. Khawjah said: "We hope to deter any dangerous [writing] that may be published in these newspapers and websites via this regulation. These issues have forced us to think seriously about enacting laws to regulate publishing and the media in this way."