Recently launched right here in the UAE, news channel Sky News Arabia is the first 24-hour, Arabic-language rolling news service. It operates across multiple media platforms and promises to deliver fast-paced, independent news from the Arab world for the Arab world. Sky News Arabia is the regions’ latest news channel, and has brought with it a number of firsts. The network will also be available for browsing on an app for iPads and smartphones, as well as via the content-rich website, www.skynewsarabia.com. The website includes blogs from journalists and correspondents, live twitter feeds and offers the opportunity for users to engage and comment on the topics of the day. We went on set to find out if it really is as exciting as all that sounds
Walking through the corridors of Sky News Arabia, the excitement and energy is immediately tangible; this high-tech news room, buzzing with reporters, researchers and floor managers, is reminiscent of the newsrooms in films. However, what’s happening here is very real, as explained by the channel’s Emirati news presenter Faisal Bin Huraiz.
‘The main challenge is to be there as everything is happening – to be in the right place at the right time,’ explains Faisal. ‘We strive to get the story out first, but we’re careful not to take any sides, we just report the news as it is. Transparency is key for us. ‘There are no areas of news that we won’t delve into,’ continues Faisal. ‘But the news that is reported has to come out in a very neutral way. Our channel is an open space and we report everything.’
Sky News is a globally recognised station, which is why Faisal believes it will play an integral role in developing journalism in the region. ‘We are really aiming to be on the spot with our reporting and we love getting
onboard with social media. We feel this is really important in terms of reaching out to a younger demographic of viewers which is what we are aiming for. Everyone that works here at Sky News Arabia is quite young and this benefits us in regards to being able to target the youth of the Middle East.’
Before joining Sky News Arabia, Faisal was part of the team that launched the news centre at Abu Dhabi Radio where he worked as a presenter and reporter and later as news bulletin editor. He then moved from radio to TV to work at Abu Dhabi TV as a news presenter hosting Uloom Al Dar. ‘When I heard Sky News was coming here I was so excited and I knew I wanted to be a part of it. I was so keen to work here and I
am really proud. I was really enthusiastic as a UAE National [to] be a part of this channel because it is so well respected and the team are great. To add to that I am happy that Sky News Arabia head quarters is
based here in the UAE and Abu Dhabi. It makes me really proud as an UAE National. I can’t wait for all the opportunities this role brings and the experiences that will develop my learning. I get to wear traditional dress which also makes me very happy.’
Once Faisal is whisked off to present The Morning Show, we get the opportunity to sit down with Nart Bouran, director of news at Sky News Arabia. He meets us in his office and jests: ‘So you’re the one that made my reporter late in to the news chair.’ At least, we hope he’s joking.
Among his wide scope of responsibilities Nart is in charge of directing and managing the channel’s news operations, safeguarding the Sky News standard of impartial and independent world-class news reporting, and achieving the company’s business objectives. Nart is friendly, confident and ultimately very proud of what Sky News Arabia has already been able to achieve – he explains that Sky News Arabia is the first Arabic-language news channel to supply 24-hour rolling news and to broadcast 24/7.
‘We depend on the reporter giving us the news, so our main objective on a daily basis is to actually get them on screen to give us a run down on where they are and what they are doing on location. Their main task is to be onsite and to then report straight back to us. Their main job is to hit the story hard very, very quickly.’
Nart explains the importance of having credible sources for stories particularly here in the Middle East. ‘The main thing is that I would always rely on our people and our reporters on the ground to get us the story. It is also really important to get credible sources and to make sure we are getting the right information – our mantra is that our reporters are the main source of news. I think being a live channel, and one depending on breaking news, means it’s always going to be hard to get access and to make sure you are in the right place and time. What sets us apart is that we have no recorded programming – we are live 24/7. So obviously it’s always a challenge maintaining the strength and maintaining the rhythm of what we are reporting, and we are always trying to do things differently and mix things up a little bit so we can always be relevant and look good.’
Nart puts the quality of research and reporting down to having a talented team. ‘We have hired good people who have all been trained and they know what to do. We have a code of ethics in place to make sure we check our stories, and to make sure what we are doing is appropriate and factual. I think the biggest challenge we face is being up to the moment and being fast and accurate, and sometimes those two things are contradictory so it’s always a challenge. That’s why we have such talented people in our news room. They always check their facts.’
To sum up, Nart emphasises that Sky News Arabia is always going to strive to be first on breaking news, to be comprehensive and make sure they are where news is happening. ‘What we would like to be is the main source of news for Arabic speakers across all platforms, so if you get your news online we want to be the number one, if you like to get your news on your mobile phone we want you to download our apps and make sure that this is your source of news, and if you like watching the news on TV then we want to be the first source of news that you flick to so you know what is going on. It’s about being relevant on multi-platforms. That is what we are aiming for.’
We were sad to leave. Just being there in the middle of a ground-breaking news hub made us feel important. We were also slightly jealous that they get someone to do their hair and makeup everyday – we could certainly get used to that. Right now, we’re off to brush up on our Arabic, so we can watch our new friends report the news.
See Faisal present The Morning Show daily at midday. www.skynewsarabia.com.
