Ifthar with UAE Prime Minister

His Highness Shaikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, hosted an Ifthar gathering for the UAE media professionals on Aug 14, 2010 in Zabeel Palace.

Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai’s Crown Prince and Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, ministers and top officials were also present on the occasion.
The UAE media fraternity, along with international news agency heads, conveyed their greetings to Shaikh Mohammad on the occasion of the Holy Month of Ramadan.
Sheikh Mohammed discussed several political, media, economic and regional issues with the journalists. Focusing on the freedom of expression and constructive criticism, the Vice-President called media the mirror and voice of the UAE.
“No restriction has been imposed on news in the UAE,” he assured the media professionals.

Sheikh Mohammed affirmed that the concerned authorities in the UAE do not impose any restrictions on information or news about economic and financial issues.

"My directives to these authorities are clear and beyond any questioning as we rely on candour and transparency. We strongly believe that media is the mirror of the nation. It has a noble message to disseminate and to enlighten the public, away from exaggeration, bias and distortion of facts. The sun cannot be blocked by a sieve," he added.

The media corps paid tribute to Sheikh Mohammed for his support, considering his encouragement and follow-ups as a big catalyst to them to exert more creative efforts
to enhance the local and regional media scene.

The journalists also praised the numerous initiatives by Sheikh Mohammed to provide a wider space for freedom and transparency in dealing with the local, regional and international media.