The art of speaking truthfully: how media shapes a nation’s future

Abdulla Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Authority, reflects on media's sacred duty to embed values, preserve identity and build trust in an age of rapid technological change

The strength of a nation begins not in its institutions alone, but in the families that nurture its values, and in the institutions that refine them. This philosophy guides the thinking of Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Authority, who sees media as the vital link that carries these values into the public consciousness, embedding them where they take root and flourish.

Speaking in an interview with the Zayed Military University newspaper, Al Hamed reflected on President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s declaration of 2026 as the “Year of the Family”—a vision that recognises the family as society’s first school of belonging and responsibility. Media, he argued, serves as the bridge between the home and national institutions, translating the values instilled within families into broader cultural awareness. “When families, education, institutions and media come together around a shared set of values, human development becomes an integrated national endeavour,” he said.

The establishment of the National Media Authority itself represents a strategic recognition of media’s role in strengthening the UAE’s presence and standing. Rather than standardising approaches, Al Hamed envisages a framework where different voices complement one another around clear foundations, moving from isolated initiatives towards a coordinated system with greater reach and influence. The Authority’s work draws inspiration from the presidential vision for media as a noble mission that shapes awareness, builds trust, preserves identity and builds the future.

Yet Al Hamed’s philosophy extends beyond domestic discourse. He speaks of four key elements that guide the Authority’s approach: Emirati talent creating content, technologies amplifying reach, international partnerships opening new horizons, and precise measurement of impact. The UAE, he suggests, possesses an advanced environment for media and production, with the ambition to transform it from infrastructure that hosts production into an ecosystem that generates ideas and content.

In this vision, identity functions as a compass, not a constraint. Technology serves as a medium, not an end in itself. True modernity, Al Hamed argues, means carrying national values into tomorrow using tools that future generations understand. Media that fears digital transformation falls behind; media that loses itself in it forfeits its distinctive character. The challenge lies in embracing innovation while preserving essence.

The National Media Authority’s strategy begins not with the question “How do we reach the greatest number of people?” but with a deeper inquiry: “What do we want to linger in people’s minds?” This distinction shapes everything. The Authority works to establish an integrated system built on three pillars: authentic content reflecting the UAE’s values and distinctive signature, Emirati talent capable of producing and developing it, and smart platforms and technologies delivering it to the right audience at the right time.

Al Hamed’s reflections on institutional media proved particularly illuminating. When Zayed Military University launched its first newspaper, it marked more than a publishing milestone. It signified the institution’s transition from a recipient of content to a partner in producing and documenting its own narrative. An institution that tells its own story possesses the capacity to reveal details that conventional coverage cannot: the people, the experiences, the transformations, the challenges and the achievements. As explored at recent media forums examining who shapes the narrative in a digital age, specialised institutional voices bring depth to the national media landscape that general coverage cannot always provide.

On the university’s pioneering integration of male and female cadets, Al Hamed spoke of an advanced stage in the UAE’s longstanding efforts to empower women across all fields of national service. Competence and loyalty, he stressed, form the foundation of service to the nation. The launch of a specialised radio station within the university exemplifies how media and education complement one another, bringing together military discipline and media creativity. Its slogan—”Our Voice, Our Strength”—reflects a profound truth: strength begins with having a voice and knowing how to use it responsibly.

When crisis strikes, information becomes a national responsibility. Al Hamed emphasised that speed and credibility need not be opposed; rather, they must work in concert. Credibility without speed leaves a dangerous vacuum; speed without credibility adds confusion. The National Media Authority’s role is to strengthen media readiness, coordinate efforts, and ensure accurate information from trusted sources reaches the public promptly. True readiness begins before crisis strikes, through training, establishing clear coordination mechanisms, and preparing to address misinformation.

In the end, Al Hamed concluded, the nation is strengthened by institutions that speak in their own voice while remaining aligned with the shared national voice. As the media landscape transforms, the imperative remains clear: media does not ask the public for trust; it builds trust, one piece of information and one situation at a time.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

The National Media Authority’s strategic framework carries profound implications for Abu Dhabi and the broader Emirates. By positioning media as a vehicle for embedding national values while embracing technological innovation, the Authority acknowledges that cultural identity and modernity need not be in tension. This approach allows Abu Dhabi’s institutions—from its military academies to its universities—to shape their own narratives while contributing to a cohesive national conversation.

For residents and citizens alike, this vision promises a media ecosystem that operates with greater transparency, depth and professionalism. Specialised institutional voices, such as those emerging from Zayed Military University, enrich public understanding of the nation’s development and the generations being prepared to lead its future. The Authority’s emphasis on building trust through accurate information, particularly during crises, reflects a commitment to keeping the public informed and reducing the space where misinformation takes hold.