GFDL:Dubai media City

Any kind of mass-media represents a section of the media exclusively intended to reach a very large audience, especially the population of a nation state. The advent of radio networks and TV as electronic form, circulation of newspapers, magazines, books and manuscripts as print form are present centuries before. It is almost a tedious task if one sits and starts pondering over its actual inception.

Today’s age where blogs, message boards, pod-casts, and video sharing are ruling almost all the businesses and industries, thanks goes to the constant exposure of individuals where mass-media techniques like advertising and propaganda becomes name of the game.
The media sector in Dubai also witnessed a massive growth to cope up with its steady growth that is taking place on an entire level. Here is an attempt to highlight some of the forms of media in Dubai that has actually added to the pace of communication in the city.

Dubai Media City: Dubai’s Media City often referred to as Dubai’s investment that costs around 800 million dollars is also known for its cutting-edge technology, world-class production and transmission facilities that cater to the ever growing needs of the most happening tourist city and will continue to do so for many more years. It is known that the media sector in Dubai and the UAE has observed a substantial growth in the last few years, especially in the electronic forms of media, viz-radio and television.

GFDL:Dubai Studio City

Most of the internationally acclaimed broadcasters, TV networks, news channels, and financial & business information channels are based and headquartered in Dubai Media City. To name a few- APTN, ARY Digital Network, BBC World, Bloomberg L.P, CNBC Arabiya, CNN, Geo TV, Voice of America (VoA), Middle- East Broadcasting Center, Persian Music Channel, Reuters, Showtime Arabia and Ten Sports have their prominent presence in the city that is adding value to the life of the people living therein by keeping them with constant updates of technology, news, sports, entertainment like movies, music concerts and also about educative aspects.

Besides this, Dubai has some promising upcoming projects related to various forms of media that are lined up for execution. This includes the Dubai Studio City that will cater to the production needs of the region. It is expected to have pre-built studios, sound stages, workshops, back-lots & stage areas, broadcast center housing offices and post-production studios, a business center for freelancers, film & television academies, location approval services, entertainment & retail spaces, hotels & residential facilities to accommodate crews and casts as well.

Creative City is another forthcoming creative service which is launched by Fujairah Media. It aims to attract regional and International broadcast TV and radio providers to Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates and provide creative media related services.

Creative Commons:CNBC Arabiya headquarters

Ras Al Khaimah Media Free Zone and Film City launched on 3 January 2006 by the Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone (RAKFTZ) authority has been developed with regard to the increasing cost of living in Dubai city. The RAK Free Trade Zone authority has even licensed Mirage Holdings Freezone Company, LLC, Ras Al Khaimah, to operate the entire Film and Media City.

International Media Production Zone (IMPZ), a free zone and freehold area located in Dubai near Jumeirah Village South is spread over an area of 43 million sq ft that caters to media production companies. It is rumored to get transformed into the next generation of Dubai Media City.

WAM, Emirates News Agency is the official news agency of the UAE that provides daily news coverage of official and other events throughout the country.

AMG-Arab media group, the largest media group in the region publishes 3 daily newspapers, owns around 8 radio stations and has many investments in related activities that enhances the platform.

Dubai Media Incorporated, a Dubai government department owns and administers Dubai TV, Sama Dubai, Dubai One and Dubai Sports Channel. All these channels are a medium of information that provide sheer entertainment to people with different interests.

Though the broadcasters, the foreign media and other investments are still functional, it did face some very heavy consequences due to the censorship. Even Dubai Internet City that sells itself as a business-friendly environment with excellent connectivity too is heavily censored.

The Sony Ericsson building at Dubai Internet City (CC/Sujit Sivanand)

Today, Dubai Internet City has become centre stage for the IT industry with every known IT company having its head office or regional branch located here. That’s because of the strategic location of Dubai, Middle East which is easily accessible from all corners of the earth and has very young and vibrant population that is equally learned and technology savvy. The potential growth for IT sector in Dubai is enormous due to the construction of Dubai Internet City. More than 600 IT companies employing about 11 thousand staff have their branches in Dubai Internet City making it the largest managed body in the world that encompasses most of the global ICT companies under one roof. Companies like mobile manufacturing i-Mate have moved their entire operation from Scotland to Dubai. Even companies like Fujitsu Siemens have profited by opening their regional offices here.

The Dubai Internet City was inaugurated in October 2000 to create a common base where various ICT companies from wide range of sectors, could operate from. The campus has been developed in such a way that it creates ample opportunities for networking and channel development between partners and probable partners with a chance to develop new ideas and explore newer grounds.

Dubai Internet City is a free trade zone which incorporates Dubai Media City and Knowledge Village all within close proximity to each other. Dubai Media City has been specially established for media related businesses while Knowledge Village is a learning community. A free trade zone presents unique opportunities like 100% ownership, 100% tax free, Capital Mobility, Easy Licensing, Cyber Regulations and Protection of IP which every IT company dreams of.

If companies just want to test the settings of Dubai Internet City then they could hire a temporary office with all available facilities. A fully serviced package includes temporary offices, office services, free research data, IT/Telecom services, conference facilities, trouble free licensing and quick visa processing. Dubai Internet City offers technology that is above par then the rest of the word including smart buildings, IP telephony, Call Centre solutions, LAN/WAN technologies, Broadband internet, leased circuits, VPN and Wi-FI and Frame Relay & ATM Hosting. Other support facilities like world renowned restaurants and branches of global banks  encourages team bonding within the company and outside partners alongside providing all necessary facilities at a near reach.