IMF and New Media Academy host media workshop in Dubai

JournalismPakistan.com | Published 1 hour ago | JP Asia Desk

The IMF and New Media Academy convened MENA journalists in Dubai for a workshop on economic reporting, social media storytelling, and AI, underscoring growing investment in professional media skills.
Summary

DUBAI — The International Monetary Fund and the New Media Academy have jointly hosted a professional workshop in Dubai aimed at strengthening economic reporting and social media content creation skills among journalists from the Middle East and North Africa.

The program brought together media professionals to focus on improving coverage of economic issues, while also addressing how digital platforms and emerging technologies are reshaping journalism practices across the region.

Building economic reporting skills

Sessions during the workshop centered on explaining complex economic concepts in accessible ways for general audiences, a persistent challenge for journalists covering fiscal policy, growth, inflation, and development issues. Organizers emphasized the importance of accurate, clear reporting to support informed public debate, particularly in economies undergoing reform or facing external pressures.

Participants also explored techniques for translating data-heavy economic material into engaging digital formats suitable for social media platforms, reflecting the growing role of online audiences in shaping news consumption habits in the MENA region.

AI and digital transformation in media

A separate focus of the workshop examined the impact of artificial intelligence on journalism, including its use in research, content production, and audience engagement. Discussions highlighted both opportunities for efficiency and innovation, as well as the need for ethical safeguards and editorial oversight.

The inclusion of AI-related topics underscored a broader regional effort to prepare journalists for technological change while maintaining professional standards, credibility, and public trust.

The Dubai workshop reflects sustained investment by international organizations and regional partners in media capacity building, particularly as economic reporting becomes more central to public discourse amid global uncertainty and domestic reform agendas.

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