BNA participates in 50th FANA General Assembly

Manama, Nov. 16 (BNA): Abdulla Khalil Buhejji, Director-General of the Bahrain News Agency (BNA), participated in the 50th General Assembly of the Federation of Arab News Agencies (FANA), held under the chairmanship of Dr. Fahd bin Hassan Al Aqran, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) President and FANA President.
 
The 50th FANA General Assembly, which convened on the sidelines of the second edition of the Global Media Congress, held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, was themed “The Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the Work of News Agencies”.
 
The assembly discussed a number of topics related to the opportunities and challenges that AI poses to the media sector and news agencies.
 
On the occasion, BNA Director-General stressed the importance of such meetings that discuss developments in the field of artificial intelligence, especially in light of its clear impact on making the media content and role in providing tools that add more professionalism to the media product.
 
Buhejji indicated that the expansion of the use of AI technologies in the media sector and news agencies has become a global trend, which requires studying ways to control and regulate it, as well as setting rules that contribute to achieving its forecast goals in improving the system of news and editorial work, and at the same time preventing its misuse in a way that conflicts with laws, freedoms, and intellectual property rights.
 
BNA chief stressed that FANA’s interest in the impact of artificial intelligence on the media sector reflects the recognition of FANA member states of the need to exchange ideas and opinions regarding the mechanisms required to maximise ways to benefit from this technology, as well as to agree on charters and codes of conduct that regulate its work.
 
The 50th FANA General Assembly, elected Mohammed Jalal Al Rayssi, Director-General of the Emirates News Agency (WAM) as FANA President for the next two years.
 
Meanwhile, Dr. Fatma Al-Salem, Director General of Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), and Fouad Arif, Director-General of the Maghreb Arab Press Agency (MAP), were elected first and second vice presidents, respectively.
 
The Oman News Agency (ONA) was elected as member of FANA Secretariat-General.