Brigadier General (Pilot) Staff Abdul Nasser Al Humaidi, official spokesperson of the Ministry of Defence, has affirmed that the UAE's sovereign institutions recognised early on the importance of media and its strategic role in supporting the national action system, noting that the military establishment regards media as an integral partner and an inseparable component of the defence system.
He explained that the UAE possesses a national media system of high efficiency and considerable capacity to handle various challenges, pointing out that the media's performance during the recent crisis reflected an advanced level of readiness and coordination among relevant bodies, and contributed to delivering accurate information and reinforcing reassurance and stability within society.
This came during a session entitled "Safe Skies… Reassured People", held as part of the eleventh edition of the UAE Media Forum, which convened yesterday in Dubai under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council.
The session was organised by the Dubai Press Club with the participation of a select group of leaders from UAE media institutions and media practitioners across the country, in the presence of Her Excellency Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice President and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council and President of the Dubai Press Club. The session was moderated by journalist Mohammed Al Ahmad from the Abu Dhabi Media Network.
The session discussed the role of UAE media in strengthening national security, consolidating stability and fortifying the home front during crises, as well as the readiness of the UAE's defence system and its ability to address future challenges and variables with efficiency and competence. The session also addressed the importance of integration between the media and national institutions in countering rumours and disinformation and bolstering public trust.
Brigadier General Al Humaidi noted that the trust bestowed by the wise leadership upon the military establishment represents one of the most important factors of success, affirming that this trust is the result of long-term investments in building national capacities and competencies, which was reflected in the country's ability to continue its major activities and events normally and to entrench a sense of security and stability in society even under the most difficult circumstances.
On the subject of the media and psychological warfare accompanying crises, Brigadier General Al Humaidi clarified that modern wars are no longer confined to traditional military confrontations, but have increasingly come to rely on rumours, misinformation, and attempts to influence public opinion.
He affirmed that UAE media demonstrated considerable efficiency in confronting these challenges through rapid response and the provision of accurate information from official sources, which limited the impact of rumours, helped protect public awareness and reinforced trust in national institutions.
He also praised the level of awareness and discipline shown by UAE society during the crisis, both in terms of handling information and adhering to security and safety instructions, affirming that this responsible behaviour was an important factor in the success of national efforts during that period.
Brigadier General Al Humaidi addressed the military establishment's future vision, affirming that the UAE does not merely anticipate the future but actively works to shape it through long-term planning and continuous investment in human and technological capabilities. He said: "What the world sees today in terms of unconventional innovations in countering various threats is the product of decades of work and planning, and sustained investment in building an advanced defence system capable of addressing the challenges of the present and the future."
He added that the nature of warfare is undergoing rapid transformation, necessitating early preparedness for changes that may include cyber warfare, intelligent systems and modern technologies, affirming that the military establishment continues to develop its capabilities to ensure the highest levels of readiness are maintained.
Al Humaidi stressed the importance of enhancing integration between general media and specialised media, particularly in the defence and security fields, pointing to wide opportunities for developing this type of media through training, qualification programmes and the building of national competencies capable of handling specialised subjects with efficiency and professionalism.
He affirmed that work does not stop when crises end; rather, a new phase of evaluation, development and preparation for the future begins thereafter, noting that continuous readiness and permanent preparedness represent an entrenched approach in military work, and that ongoing development is an essential part of the national defence system. Speaking about the balance between the right to information and the requirements of military confidentiality, he explained that responsible and carefully considered information represents the foundation for achieving this balance.
He pointed to the importance of providing society with the necessary information while simultaneously preserving the confidentiality of information related to operations bearing on national security. He affirmed that every piece of information or image published is subject to rigorous assessment that takes into account the national interest and prevents any potential benefit to adversaries, thereby ensuring a balance between transparency and responsibility while preserving the security and safety of the homeland and all who reside on its soil.
Brigadier General Al Humaidi concluded by affirming that UAE media has demonstrated qualitative efficiency as an essential partner in supporting the national narrative and conveying the state's message both domestically and internationally.