The first interactive debate at the Arab Broadcast Forum on 4 June entitled Embedded in Danger: Iraq War Coverage, will expose the challenges faced by journalists reporting from war zones and question how much international broadcasters rely on local media for up-to-date reports in Iraq. The first session will ask delegates what lessons have been learned and apply them to an emerging and chilling regional scenario: if war breaks out in Iran, what are the new realities of reporting for the Arab and international media?.
Al Arabiya will lead the opening session and share its first hand experience in reporting from Iraq, where the news channel has paid the ultimate price for reporting the truth with its journalists being detained, wounded and – in the case of Atwar Bahjat – murdered in the course of duty.
Addressing another topical issue is the session Lost in Translation: The Battle for Arab Viewers where the trend of Arab broadcast organisations expanding internationally will be explored. The session will analyse the impact of regional media expansion and ask if news channels are bridging a cultural gap and clarifying misconceptions about the Arab world.
Prominent media figures from Al Hurra TV, BBC, Reuters and Associated Press will attend the forum at Emirates Palace Hotel, Abu Dhabi. The two-day event, co-hosted by Al Arabiya News Channel and Abu Dhabi TV, will broadcast live a series of interactive debates.