His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, directed the allocation of a fund worth AED 150 million to support content creators.
He also ordered the establishment of a permanent influencers' headquarters that provides year-round support.
The announcement came during the second edition of the 1 Billion Followers Summit, organised by the New Media Academy in Dubai.
The summit, which is taking place at the Museum of the Future and Emirates Towers, has brought together more than 3,000 influencers and content creators and 195 speakers from 95 countries.
Sheikh Mohammed highlighted the importance of content creation as a tool that conveys the UAE’s story to the world and a window into its traditions, cultural accomplishments, and the creativity of its new generations.
He pointed out that media is a true mirror of communities and the aspirations of the people.
"This is why media must keep up with the world’s knowledge, sciences and technologies, evolve its concepts and tools, and consolidate its role as a window into our national and cultural achievements," he added.
استضافت الإمارات اليوم 3000 صانع محتوى يتابعهم أكثر من 1.8 مليار متابع من 95 دولة حول العالم في أحد أكبر التجمعات العالمية لصناع المحتوى .. نرحب بهم في الإمارات .. ونقول لهم إن صناعة المحتوى مسؤولية .. وصناعة المحتوى علم .. وصناعة المحتوى هو مستقبل الإعلام ..
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) January 10, 2024
وأعلنا اليوم أيضاً… pic.twitter.com/An9ZaGYLxd
Content Creators Support Fund
A permanent influencers' headquarters, a collaboration between the UAE Government Media Office and the New Media Academy, aims to bring together top influencers and content creators, providing the optimal environment to create top content.
It will benefit media professionals and social media influencers, including content producers, developers and publishers.
The fund to support content creators, with a value of AED 150 million, aims to support the development of highly creative and impactful content, help creators hone their skills and enter global markets to introduce the UAE story, its achievements and cultural contributions.
The influencers' headquarters will offer a host of services, including a dedicated studio for filming, courses on storytelling, photography, broadcasting and platform management.
It will also help content creators gain expertise to execute their own ideas, and learn skills and techniques to create impactful content, in addition to providing technical support in collaboration with renowned names, including Google and Facebook.