Abu Dhabi: The media briefings — a move by the government to enhance transparency and secure the flow of information — have never stopped, a senior official said on Wednesday.
Mohammad Bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future, told the Federal national Council that 10 media briefings were held last year and two such briefings were given this year.
Al Gergawi was answering a question by Hamad Ahmad Al Rahoumi, a member from Dubai, on why the media briefings had stopped.
Al Gergawi said the government briefing, ordered by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, had never stopped but they are held according to the plans of each government department to offer first-hand information about issues relating to the daily lives of people in the UAE.
“Ministers and top government officials across all government entities will be meeting media professionals on a regular basis to strengthen the relationship between the two partners and eliminate all barriers and clarify vagueness by answering all questions,” Al Gergawi said.
The move, launched in 2013, was meant to build strong partnerships with local media to convey the message of the government and highlight the development taking place in the UAE,” he said.
The media spokesperson system was introduced in various ministries three years before the briefing system started.
“It aims to give people fresh and credible news,” he said.
The government trained almost 160 spokespersons to represent the government entities in the media.
