INTERNATIONAL MEDIA LUMINARIES IN DUBAI FOR JUDGING PROCESS

Emmy awards semi-final rounds begin At Dubai Media City

NEWS RELEASE

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA LUMINARIES IN DUBAI FOR JUDGING PROCESS

Emmy awards semi-final rounds begin At Dubai Media City

Dubai: Saturday, June 15th, 2002

The judging process of the Documentary and News Coverage categories of 30th International Emmy Awards has begun at Dubai Media City. The City today introduced the panel of judges for the qualifying rounds of one of the most keenly contested categories. Eight news entries and 15 documentaries will vie for the final shortlist. The judging will be conducted over two days from June 15 to 16, 2002.

Fifteen distinguished international and regional media experts including a leading media consultant, Riz Khan and a senior producer of Japans Broadcasting Corporation will judge the participating entries. Short listed finalists will compete at the gala Emmy Awards function due to be held in New York City on November 25, 2002.

Dubai Media City as a Director of the International Council of the US National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences is the most appropriate venue in the Middle East to host such an event and the Academy believes that this move will open the doors to more such collaborations in this part of the world," said George Leclere, Executive Director, The International Council (The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences) which organises the Emmy Awards.

The judging panel for the semi-final round of the Documentary and News coverage categories comprises of Riz Khan, Media Consultant; Hiroshi Tanami, Senior Producer, NHK, Japan Broadcasting Corporation; Habib Al Sayegh, News Manager, Al Khaleej; Shuckri Bundakji, President, BMG, Middle East and North Africa; Nakhle Al Hage, Editor-in-Chief, MBC; Ali Al Ahmed, Director, Abu Dhabi TV; Mona Al Marri, Executive Manager, Dubai Press Club; Samir Sabbah, Head of Media, Reuters; Rashid Murooshid, Director, Dubai Business Channel; Zafar Siddiqi, Chairman, MEBN; Bassam Hajjawi, CEO, International Distribution Agency, Ghassan Tahboob, Media Research Manager, The Executive Office, Abdulhamid Juma, CEO, Dubai Media City and Karri Zaremba, Broadcast Operations Manager, Dubai Media City.

Renowned media personality Riz Khan, believes that the presence of the Emmy Awards at Dubai Media City underlines the growing presence of the region in the field of media entertainment. Having witnessed the opening of Dubai Media City and its developments thereof, I feel that the City has exceeded the expectations of the media industry."

Promoting creative excellence and encouraging media activity has been the cornerstones of Dubai Media Citys activities in the past one year. The City is proud to host these luminaries from the media industry who are participating in the Emmy judging process," said Abdulhamid Juma, CEO of Dubai Media City.

The semi-final judging of the Documentary and News coverage categories, two of the most highly contested categories of the Awards, is being held at the Royal Mirage Hotel. Judging for the International Emmy is based on two Criteria: Concept & Execution. Concept deals with the presentation, imagination, effective messaging and the ability to capture the viewers attention. Execution deals with production values, besides casting, costuming, writing, directing, editing, etc.

The International Emmy Awards is held annually by the International Council of US National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences to honour excellence in television programming outside the United States.

About Dubai Media City
Strategically located in Dubai at the crossroads of the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, Dubai Media City is rapidly emerging as a global media hub. The City provides an advanced infrastructure and supportive environment for media-related businesses to operate globally out of Dubai. Dubai Media City is the place where every kind of media business, specifically - Broadcasting, Publishing, Advertising, Public Relations, Research, Music, New Media and Production and Post Production will thrive. The facility offers an environment that allows companies and individuals to operate with collective synergy and freedom. Dubai Media City - The Freedom to Create
For further information please contact:
Amira Abdulla
Assistant PR Manager
Dubai Media City
Tel: +971 4 3914578
Fax: +971 4 3914589
e-mail: amira.abdulla@dubaimediacity.co.ae
web: www.dubaimediacity.com