The UAE Journalists Association (UAEJA) has declared its backing for the anti-online-trolling initiative spearheaded by Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Office (NMO). This collaborative effort between UAEJA and NMO aims to elevate professional standards, strengthen national values, and combat online trolls, often referred to as 'electronic flies', highlighting a significant contemporary issue.
Fadila Abdullah Al Muaini, Chairperson of the UAE Journalists Association, expressed that the association is actively coordinating with media entities to bolster the national campaign against online trolling. She explained, "This type of trolling is carried out by individuals who harbor ill-will towards the successes of countries, institutions, and individuals, employing fake accounts to disseminate false information and harmful ideas in an effort to discredit achievements and successes."
Al Muaini underscored the association's commitment to raising awareness among citizens and social media users to address these challenges through a series of programs and events throughout the year. She mentioned that the association is currently conducting several training courses for young journalists and social media users to equip them with the necessary skills to combat harmful ideas and counteract incorrect values spreading on social media, thereby protecting national social peace and security.
The Chairperson of the UAEJA noted that the launch of this campaign by the NMO reflects the UAE's dedication and the leadership's efforts to enhance security and promote stability in the region, uphold the values of tolerance, and combat rumors and discord by applying professional standards and disseminating correct values. The initiative also targets terrorism and destructive ideas propagated by malicious individuals.
Al Muaini called on local, Gulf, and Arab media institutions to embrace this national campaign, highlighting its essential role in tackling fake and programmed accounts that spread misleading information, undermine societal values and ethics, and incite chaos and defamation of public figures and successful individuals. She emphasized that awareness is the most powerful tool in confronting these issues.
