Journalist ZainaYazigi Praises Damsco Group’s Media Enterprise

1. Journalist ZainaYazigi Praises Damsco Group’s Media Enterprise On Wednesday, the “Arab Media Forum 2019” kicked off in Dubai World Trade Center in the city of Dubai under the theme “Arab Media: From Now to the Future.” Syrian journalist ZainaYazigi conducted the opening session of the forum. During the session she hosted Fabrice Fries Chief Executive of Agence France-Presse (AFP) who spoke about the future of the News Agencies. Damsco Group attended the forum’s opening session and had a delightful interview with the Syrian journalist ZainaYazigi, who talked about the future of journalism and the challenges that journalists and media professionals face in an era in which everyone has become – as Zaina puts it – a journalist. Yazigi demonstrated some of the challenges they face as journalists saying: “Today, in this forum, we raised a challenging question that confronts journalists and media professionals. The question is: Do we still have a job? Is our work still relevant today when every individual is a kind of journalist? Everyone has access to the needed resources and technology and even high-quality photography devices, which makes this possible.” On the other hand, Yazigi said: “Despite this fact, I believe that no party can eliminate the role of the other, but each one uses different tools and platforms. Can professional journalists adapt and enhance their coverage pace? Can they use their tools while maintaining the basic rules of good journalism? This is a serious issue, because, the media has a key role in the development of societies and humanity, introducing positive values, reproaching the guilty, and correcting the path. You can afford to dispense with appliances like the television, but, not with the journalist.” When Damsco asked ZainaYazigi to evaluate the contribution of entrepreneurs investing in sectors far-off the media, she said: “Without a doubt, most large organizations have a financial problem. Some corporations establish media sites far less expensive than TV stations or media organizations. However, they need to have a clear vision and take heed not to turn into a short-lived fad or an advertisement billboard. They need to hire experts and adhere to the professional guidelines.” In regards to the importance of caring for Syrian children and youth in refugee camps, and granting them the opportunity to convey their positive energy in a creative media environment, ZainaYazigi indicated: “For me, this is a central concern and a basic issue of utmost importance. At some point, I did not accept or believe in social media. However, with the emergence of the refugees’ issue, I realized the significant role that the social media played in connecting the refugees in the camps with each other, with the aid centers, and with the media, or just as an outlet for stress relief. They are even a great platform to channel the voice of their cry through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram forcing the ignorant media to pay

2. attention and cover their stories. The issue of the refugees is a critical topic, especially that they master the use of the social media and know how to benefit from it. Nevertheless, they certainly need professional training and discovering those who are talented among them. A hindering problem that the refugee encounters today is the need to obtain the right to act freely in a certain environment, in addition to rehabilitation, until – hopefully – we find a solution to the issue of the refugees.” As for the responsibility of Syrian financial capitals in supporting Syrian talents blooming in the camps, Yazigi advocates: “It can be a social investment too, not just a financial one.” She highly esteemed the value of the media success of Damsco Gala organized by Damsco Events, one of the companies of Damsco Group founded and directed by the Syrian entrepreneur Mohannad Al Masre, and added:“I am always delighted to see an adequate Syrian capital. We have been accustomed to the coward capitals who invest in certain sectors avoiding projects that carry responsibility, confrontation or debut. I am glad to see a Syrian entrepreneur who is investing in this sector, for the Syrian capital, employs Syrian cadres. Thus, it highlights the Syrian issue, which in turn attracts the Syrian artist and the Syrian audience, especially in the absence of a powerful Syrian media capable of entering a real competition. Therefore, this venture has the potential to become a model in the Arab world.” The Arab Media Forum gathered over 75 speakers and 200 media figures, scholars and politicians from across the Arab region and the world to discuss a wide range of topics including the relationship between the media and politics. Written By: Mohannad Al Masre Website: https://mohannad-almasre.com/