Dubai Finalises Winners For 24th Arab Media Award Edition

Dubai has once again cemented its position as a media innovation hub in the Arab world with the finalisation of winners for the 24th edition of the Arab Media Award. As a key event within the much-anticipated Arab Media Summit, the award reflects the city’s long-standing vision of nurturing a vibrant, ethical, and pioneering media ecosystem across the region. The process, led by top media figures and conducted with transparency and precision, aims to uphold standards of excellence and integrity that are synonymous with Dubai’s broader developmental goals.

This year’s edition of the award, known for spotlighting groundbreaking contributions in journalism, television, and digital media, culminated in a high-level board meeting held virtually. The meeting was chaired by Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council and Chairperson of the Arab Media Award. The agenda focused on finalising the winners after a rigorous evaluation and screening process, which involved extensive analysis by judging panels and screening committees composed of independent media experts from across the Arab world.

Virtual Board Meeting Highlights Final Evaluation Phase

The Arab Media Award’s 24th cycle reached its pivotal moment during a high-level virtual board meeting, where decisions on the final list of winners were made. The meeting was led by Mona Ghanem Al Marri, a key figure in Dubai’s media leadership, who has consistently emphasized the importance of transparency, neutrality, and credibility in recognising media excellence.

Al Marri expressed her gratitude to all members of the Board of Directors for their critical role in overseeing the various phases of the award. She highlighted the complex and comprehensive evaluation mechanisms that guided the process, reflecting a commitment to impartiality and a structured approach. Every entry was examined with the highest standards of fairness, which helped ensure that the winners truly represented the best of Arab media.

Maintaining Fairness and Transparency Across All Evaluation Stages

Throughout the competition, emphasis was placed on objective assessment criteria. The judging and screening phases operated under clearly defined benchmarks, designed to ensure a level playing field for all participants. Mona Ghanem Al Marri praised the diligence of the award’s evaluators, noting that the professionalism exhibited throughout the screening stages reinforced the award’s commitment to credibility.

From entry submission to final deliberation, every aspect of the award was designed to reflect an unbiased and equitable framework. This not only elevates the standing of the Arab Media Award itself but also sets a model for other media recognitions in the region to follow. Each decision made during the selection process was data-driven and substantiated by measurable standards of journalistic excellence.

Celebrating Creativity and Reflecting Dubai’s Media Vision

The Arab Media Award does more than just hand out accolades. It serves as a powerful representation of Dubai’s global vision for the media industry — one that sees media not just as a tool for communication, but as a driving force for human development, cultural engagement, and social progress.

Mona Ghanem Al Marri reiterated that the award seeks to inspire creativity, celebrate journalistic courage, and foster innovation in the Arab world’s media institutions. She emphasized that media can play a transformational role in shaping public thought, addressing societal challenges, and championing truth. The award, therefore, is a part of Dubai’s broader initiative to support dynamic storytelling, ethical journalism, and impactful content creation.

A Surge in Participation From Across the Arab World

One of the hallmarks of this year’s edition was the unprecedented diversity and high number of entries received. Media professionals from every corner of the Arab world submitted content, reflecting a wide range of experiences, issues, and creative styles. Whether covering politics, economics, culture, or society, the entries demonstrated not only regional depth but also a global standard of storytelling.

All submissions underwent a careful and structured vetting process led by qualified, independent committees. These panels were composed of individuals with deep-rooted experience in journalism, broadcasting, and digital content creation. Each entry was rigorously examined to ensure alignment with the award’s principles of originality, relevance, and technical quality.

Ongoing Development of Award Framework and Categories

Dr. Maitha Buhumaid, Secretary-General of the Arab Media Award, emphasised that the award’s structure is not static but continuously evolving. She noted that the Board of Directors regularly reviews the award’s processes to ensure they remain aligned with the fast-changing global media environment.

This adaptability ensures the Arab Media Award remains both contemporary and forward-looking. By refining categories and re-evaluating judging frameworks, the award can better reflect emerging trends in content creation, audience engagement, and digital innovation. According to Dr. Buhumaid, this continuous evolution mirrors the broader vision of the UAE and Dubai to drive progress and excellence in all fields, especially media.

Confirming the Ceremony and Honouring Media Pioneers

Jasim Al Shemsi, Director of the Arab Media Award, announced that the winners will be officially honoured on 27 May. The awards ceremony will take place as part of the larger Arab Media Summit and is expected to attract some of the most influential figures in Arab journalism and broadcasting.

The ceremony will be more than a celebration. It will serve as a gathering of leading voices and minds in media, allowing for exchange, collaboration, and recognition of outstanding contributions. The event will be a defining moment in the calendar of Arab media, not only due to the prestige of the award but also due to its integration into one of the most significant media forums in the region.

Recognising Excellence Across Three Core Media Sectors

The Arab Media Award includes three main categories, each covering a vital segment of today’s media environment: journalism, television, and digital media. The journalism section includes awards for Political Journalism, Economic Journalism, and Investigative Reporting. These subcategories aim to honour stories that demonstrate in-depth research, public impact, and insightful analysis.

The television category acknowledges a wide range of program genres. Awards will be presented for the Best Economic Programme, Best Social Programme, Best Cultural Programme, Best Sports Programme, and Best Documentary. Each programme is judged on the basis of its content strength, presentation quality, audience reach, and societal relevance.

In the digital media category, the award recognises creative and effective use of online platforms, focusing on innovation, user engagement, and the ability to tell compelling stories through new media channels.

Additionally, the Arab Media Award presents special honours that are directly selected by the Board of Directors. One such accolade is the ‘Media Personality of the Year’, which recognises an influential Arab media figure whose contributions have had a profound impact on shaping and advancing the industry. Another notable recognition is the ‘Best Columnist’ award, which is conferred based on criteria such as originality, consistency, analytical depth, and cultural relevance.

Arab Media Summit: Platform for Innovation and Dialogue

The Arab Media Award is part of the broader Arab Media Summit, a comprehensive event that celebrates and nurtures media talent across all demographics. The summit will begin on 26 May with the third edition of the Arab Youth Media Forum, a platform designed to engage the next generation of media professionals. It offers young journalists, creators, and students an opportunity to explore emerging media technologies and trends.

On 27 and 28 May, the summit continues with the 23rd Arab Media Forum. This event will host prominent voices from across the region and beyond, engaging in high-level discussions, masterclasses, and panels on a variety of subjects affecting the modern media landscape.

In parallel, the summit will also feature the Arab Social Media Influencers Summit, which highlights the rising influence of digital creators and content leaders across the Arab digital ecosystem. These events make the Arab Media Summit one of the most comprehensive media gatherings in the region.

The summit will also present other prestigious awards, including the Arab Social Media Influencers Award and the Ibda’a – Arab Youth Media Award, thereby extending its recognition to influencers and young talents who are shaping the future of Arab storytelling.