Qatar has established a specialized administrative unit called Media City to increase the country's attractiveness for international media and promote media management and development at home, the director of Qatar's government communications office, Saif bin Ahmed Al Thani, said Friday
MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 31st May, 2019) Qatar has established a specialized administrative unit called Media City to increase the country's attractiveness for international media and promote media management and development at home, the director of Qatar's government communications office, Saif bin Ahmed Al Thani, said Friday."[Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani] issued the law establishing the Media City, a strategic project for Qatar and a unique model in the region, hosting [international] media institutions and focuses on developing media technology in a stable and ideal environment, enjoying full support to achieve it desired objectives," Al Thani posted on Twitter.
Media City, which will have an independent budget, will manage and develop media in Qatar and make it an attractive location for international media brands. This administrative unit, once it receives a location from the government, will accommodate offices of local and international media, as well as journalism-focused research institutes and training centers.
Qatar currently owns a major global media corporation, the Al Jazeera Media Network, which includes news and documentary television channels, and Internet news outlets and mobile apps that broadcast in Arabic and English.
In June 2017, Qatar's media was exposed to hardship as Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt exerted concerted diplomatic pressure on Doha, accusing it of supporting terrorist organizations and destabilizing the situation in the Middle East. Among other demands, they want Doha to shut down Al Jazeera. Saudi Arabia closed down the local Al Jazeera office and recalled the broadcaster's license, saying it incited separatist sentiments.
