The National Media Authority partnered with TikTok to organize a specialized training session in Dubai on October 9 as part of broader efforts to prepare emerging media professionals for the evolving digital landscape. The workshop targeted participants in the Young Arab Media Leaders Program organized by the Arab Youth Center and sought to strengthen abilities in content production and audience interaction on social platforms. According to the Emirates News Agency the collaboration reflects the authority’s commitment to expanding partnerships with digital platforms that offer learning and experience-sharing opportunities for young media talent across the region.
The session concentrated on three primary topics that included techniques for creating digital content and mastering storytelling through short-form videos in addition to exploring live broadcasting features on TikTok and methods for engaging viewers while building online communities. It also examined business-oriented tools available on the platform that help brands expand their reach and strengthen connections with target audiences. The National Media Authority noted that such training aligns with the program’s objective of combining hands-on instruction with expert guidance and site visits to media organizations throughout the UAE.
Engineer Fatima Al-Halami the executive director of the Arab Youth Center stated that the eighth edition of the Young Arab Media Leaders Program which launched on September 28 with 50 young men and women from 18 Arab countries and continues for three weeks represents a long-term investment in Arab media human capital. She added that the initiative combines practical training with meetings involving media leaders and visits to key organizations as a way to foster professional growth. The Arab Youth Center has reported that the full program extends until October 15 and includes modules on artificial intelligence fact-checking and digital storytelling.
Statista figures released in December 2025 show the United Arab Emirates recording a TikTok penetration rate of 134.6 percent among adults which ranks among the highest globally and illustrates the platform’s prominence in the Gulf media environment. A related assessment of social media trends in the Middle East and North Africa found that both Saudi Arabia and the UAE lead worldwide in TikTok reach relative to population while the Gulf creator economy has grown by 75 percent over the past two years to encompass 263000 professional influencers. These data points from the report by researchers including Damian Radcliffe underscore the strategic value of platform-specific training for young professionals seeking to navigate the regional digital space.
The Young Arab Media Leaders Program opened with practical exercises on deploying AI tools for research scriptwriting and multimedia production while emphasizing ethical considerations and the necessity of human oversight in content development. Additional components address message simplification public speaking and establishing a professional presence on platforms such as LinkedIn according to program documentation from the Arab Youth Center. Participants will conclude the three-week course by presenting final projects to an evaluation panel following sessions with experts from outlets including CNN Arabic and Al Mashhad.
The training arrives amid sustained regional focus on youth empowerment in media with the Arab Youth Center coordinating similar editions annually to address shifts in technology and audience preferences. Earlier sessions within the current program featured discussions on building media systems from the ground up and launching challenges related to AI applications in journalism the center has stated. Such activities aim to equip participants with tools to produce credible content while adapting to rapid industry changes across the Arab world.
