Vivek Anand, Special to Arab News

DUBAI, 9 October 2003 — There is an obvious distrust between the Arab and Western media and it could be addressed only if the two sides interact with each other based on the clear understanding of the universal role of the media and their responsibilities.

This was the net outcome of discussions in an interactive session held here yesterday as part of the Arab Media Summit 2003.

The session heard a panel of experts present their views on the issue and dozens of Arab and non-Arab media personnel intervening with their own observations. The discussions, moderated by Othman Al-Umair, editor in chief of the London-based Elaf electronic newspaper, heard Martin Woollacott from the Guardian affirm that the Western and Arab media seem to view each other with a degree of disappointment.

Dr. Hisham Sharabi, professor emeritus, Georgetown University, was particularly critical of Western writers and columnists whom he accused of never sparing an opportunity to criticize the Arabs. Sharabi said the Western and Arab media view each other with a distorted eye and more so than before, which is due to the “new world view” being propagated by the US.

Meanwhile, AFP photographer Moussa Al Shaer took top photo honors in the prestigious Arab Journalism Awards.

The Media Personality of the Year Award was given posthumously to Taryam Omran, former chairman of the Al Khaleej daily, and Mahmoud Al Sharif, former chairman of Al Dustour newspaper.

Other winners were: Best Interview: Ghassan Charbel, Al Hayat; Best Columnist: Abdul Latif Aldoaiej, Al Qabas; Best Cultural Article: Hasan Abdul Maujud Awadh, Akhbar Al Youm; Best Environmental Article: Mohammed Ali Taher, Al Ittihad; Best Investigative Article: Mohammed Ali Asiri, Wighat Nazer; Best Political Article: Hazim Ahmed Mirza, Al Hayat; Best Caricature: Khalid Al Hashimi, Al Watan; Best Sports Article: Akram Yousuf Omer, Al Ittihad; Best IT Article: Mustapha Hafnawi Mustapha, Al Ahali; Best Children’s Article: Ahmed Ibrahim Hijazib, Majid Magazine; Best Business Article: Hasan Al Qamhawi, Al Ahram.