Dubai: The Arab Media Forum 2008 will be held here April 23-24 to discuss how new technology has influenced local, regional and international media, WAM news agency reported. The theme for this year's forum is 'Bridging Arab Media Through Technology'.

The forum would discuss a range of issues including challenges and opportunities before the media industry, consolidations driving the growth of Arab broadcasting networks, and the impact of Internet on media in the Arab world.

"The Arab Media Forum will draw the participation of more than 50 leading Arab media professionals from North Africa, the Gulf Cooperation Council, the US, Britain, Germany and Australia," Mona Al Marri, chairperson Dubai Press Club, said.

"The forum will seek to address the growth of the media against a backdrop of rapidly evolving new technologies. The specialised workshops will focus attention on media and technology in the Maghreb region, talent drain in media, and the Gulf media's adoption of new technologies," she added.

The forum would end with a gala ceremony for the Arab Journalism Awards that will honour outstanding journalists.

Source : IANS