Counselor Awada in a special interview with Newroz about the upcoming New Media Conference in Morocco
Professor Ghada Awada, during her participation in the upcoming conference titled “New Media and its Role in Enhancing Social Security and Economic Development,” expected to be held in Morocco in August, anticipated that the event would prepare students professionally and technically to design, implement, and plan all media operations related to the digital media specialization. This would enable their involvement in rehabilitating their communities by promoting positive ideas and using media for development and constructive criticism.
Awada, an advisor to the former Lebanese Prime Minister and currently a UNESCO advisor, as well as the founder and director of Gloria Academy, confirmed in an exclusive interview the possibility of translating the conference results into reality by preparing programs and training courses that enable the youth to understand new digital media in all its aspects and benefits, contributing to the development of the Arab region and placing it among advanced nations. This would be achieved through the integration of communication and information technology, and engaging in the field of digital journalism, digital radio, and television promotion and marketing.
Awada, a doctor at the American University of Lebanon with 93 published research papers in scientific journals, including studies on artificial intelligence and its introduction into school and university curricula, has received several awards, most notably the Excellence and Recognition Award from the Research Center at the American University of Beirut.
When asked about the next practical step following the scientific conference or the first step towards establishing a strong and effective digital media in the Arab region to achieve community goals of development, stability, and peace, she replied: “The clear step that should be reached to establish effective digital media in the Arab region is to train and nurture the younger generation in the digital media field, starting from the family, then the school and university, so that this ambitious and forward-looking generation can achieve the goals of their society, secure it, and shape its stability and development in economic, social, and security fields.”
Awada sees that the importance of the scientific conference on new media lies in shedding light on the role of new media and its contribution to enhancing social security and economic development. Media plays a pivotal role in promoting and providing security for citizens, whether socially or economically, enabling them to live a stable life and strengthening their sense of citizenship, belonging, and social justice.
She added that with the rapid development of technology and communication, and since media has become a true partner to both state institutions and citizens, and as media and journalism have become an integral part of people’s lives, individuals now rely on these media tools to voice their concerns, resolve issues, produce awareness, and spread economic culture, laws, and legislation while keeping up with information technology. The best means to disseminate any scientific information is through visual, auditory, and written media. Scientific conferences contribute to motivating journalists to communicate with each other both locally and globally.
To translate the conference’s outcomes into enhancing social security and economic development in the Arab environment, Awada believes that the conference’s results must align with the Arab environment and not fall short of Western societies. She states that the key to translating the conference outcomes into enhancing social security and economic development in the Arab environment lies in strategic plans that strengthen societal security and develop its media and material resources. Furthermore, the public should participate in scientific seminars, educational workshops, and discussions to familiarize themselves with their duties toward their society and state, as well as their civil and material rights. Media serves as a communication link between public opinion in the Arab environment, representing people’s diverse directions and needs, and decision-makers in the state and its institutions.
Awada emphasizes that the success of conferences does not depend on their frequency but on the exchange of ideas and selecting the best approaches. However, representatives of different countries must not hold onto opinions that serve only their nation’s interests. Searching for a common formula that aligns with the aspirations of Arab nations, without loyalty to any foreign power aiming to destabilize Arab security, requires Arab efforts through scientific conferences like the upcoming “New Media” conference in Morocco. These endeavors play a vital role in introducing the new generation to the field of digital media, which is necessary as the global and Arab markets need graduates specialized in digital media, such as television and radio stations and social media platforms.
Global Media Alignment
When asked whether the Arab region is investing in the tremendous technological developments in the field of new media as required, she responded: “The ancient Arabs were pioneers in spreading their culture and intellectual and scientific production. They also excelled in translating Western cultures. So, there is no fear of Arab media keeping up with global media in all fields.”
However, is the Arab academic media environment ready to embrace these vast developments in the world of journalism and media and turn them into useful university curricula? Awada responded: “Since those overseeing media in the Arab world are open to Western media and possess both Arab and foreign cultures, they are capable of transferring Western heritage to Arab society and vice versa. They can also develop what they take from others and incorporate it into university curricula.”
She added that the Arab academic media environment is more prepared and ready to embrace the massive developments in the world of journalism and media, as well as to convert these developments into useful university curricula. Arab media, with all its journalists, presenters, and program hosts, is well-prepared and qualified.
Awada defines what is needed to create an Arab media generation capable of using new media techniques, which includes using advanced technologies that align with technological development, preparing university media students to speak classical Arabic, in addition to foreign languages, particularly English and French, for credibility in news dissemination. This also involves avoiding the promotion of news specific to any particular party or political entity, having a good understanding of Western cultures, not employing scientific facts for political purposes, and utilizing the capabilities of those leading us to develop media tools.
She outlines the elements required to create a generation of Arab media professionals capable of using new media techniques, which include providing a comprehensive educational environment that emphasizes the quality of education outputs, cooperation between universities and the local community, and considering the local market’s needs for media professionals. Additionally, students and young people need to be prepared professionally and technically to design and implement their media ideas, keeping pace with the communication and information technology revolution. This would allow them to engage in fields such as news websites, newspapers, radio and television stations, and provide opportunities for students in media and communication sciences departments to gain hands-on experience in various journalistic and media arts.
Regarding the responsibility of Arab media for achieving social security, economic development, and political stability, Awada says that people are influenced by the media. Media can promote an event that may be true or false. It can fuel enthusiasm during wars, whether verbal or military, and calm tensions during cold wars, or inflame them.
The responsibility of Arab media for achieving social security, economic development, and political stability lies in providing the community with truthful events. Media must also serve as a platform for exchanging observations and criticism, allowing the expression of viewpoints, and presenting an objective image of society. Media is responsible for highlighting societal goals and values and ensuring its security, safety, and stability.
National Security
Awada stresses that national security is the foundation of a state’s existence and a key goal of its policies. It involves defending the state from internal and external threats, protecting its ideologies, enhancing its political independence and social cohesion, and ensuring national unity against dangers. This concept revolves around the security of the state and its citizens simultaneously.
Awada explains that any harm to a state’s activities or vital institutions will inevitably reflect on the state and its people. National security also involves daily efforts by the state to develop and support its main political, economic, and social activities while addressing any threats or attempts to harm these activities.
The concept of security, as she continues, is a broad one that encompasses multiple aspects of life, including reform, law and justice, education, guidance, and the establishment of security foundations. The media’s failure to address problems and its inability to present a comprehensive picture of the security situation, as well as the lack of specialized media training in security issues, particularly in the field of security media, contributes to weak security planning, inadequate programs that promote positive and productive behavior, and a lack of attention to security awareness and crime prevention. There is also a lack of a comprehensive security media vision and weak production of informative security media content. Furthermore, there is limited attention to citizens’ security concerns in media outlets and inadequate treatment of security issues through media, along with a shortage of high-quality national media production that protects against cultural invasion and information theft.
The question remains… And then… The question remains about agreeing on a clear definition of national security, free from tensions and blame, and there remains a need to clarify every individual’s role in securing the nation.
Awada concludes by stating that security media plays a crucial and vital role in society, serving as a cornerstone for enhancing and developing individuals’ security awareness and prevention through their cooperation in maintaining security and stability. Security media has also become a tool for expanding society’s knowledge, enabling people to be directly connected to events. There has been a profound shift in the concept of security responsibility, making security a shared responsibility that media seeks to achieve in society.
Awada believes that Arab media can play a central role in achieving security, development, and stability. She said, “Media has a role in raising awareness among nations, achieving security and stability, or it can lead to chaos and spread hostility within a community. Arab media can play a central role in achieving security, development, and stability. Media is entrusted with addressing society as a whole, and institutions should plan their policies based on societal interests, security, development, and stability while working to maintain its cohesion and the integration of its members and groups.”
With the internet entering the realm of mass communication, the need has become more pressing for regulations to ensure societal security and protect its stability.
Why are significant responsibilities placed on Arab media in addressing serious social, security, and economic phenomena in the region? She responds: “Every media professional is responsible to their society; if they resort to spitefulness in their media, they will destroy society and create discord. However, if they practice methods of love and peaceful coexistence, they may elevate their society to the highest levels, a society that was and still is a homeland for everyone.
