Panellists and participants during the seminar yesterday. Pic: Salim Matramkot/The Peninsula
Doha, Qatar: A seminar organised by Qatar Media Corporation (QMC) and the Regulatory Authority for Charitable Activities (RACA) has called for stronger partnerships between media institutions and charitable organisations to highlight the lasting impact of humanitarian initiatives and promote public awareness of development issues.
The seminar, titled “Development Media and Charitable Work... A Partnership for Sustainable Impact,” was held yesterday to mark World Development Information Day which falls on October 24, with the participation of media professionals, specialists and representatives of charitable and humanitarian organisations. It was moderated by Media Adviser at RACA, Ali Abdullah Al Ansari.
The event discussed the role of media in raising awareness of humanitarian and development issues, highlighting the impact of charitable initiatives on beneficiaries, and strengthening professional practices in documentation and coverage.
They said media had become a key partner in building public trust in charitable institutions, promoting a culture of volunteering and solidarity, and encouraging society to engage with humanitarian causes.
The participants emphasised the need for sustained media strategies that promote volunteering, community participation and awareness of humanitarian issues beyond seasonal campaigns and special occasions. They said the success of charitable campaigns should be measured not only by the funds raised, but also by their ability to bring about lasting changes in public awareness and behaviour.
Supervisor of Quran Radio at QMC, Sheikh Abdullah Mohammed Al Buainain said charitable organisations should view media as a partner in promoting their causes rather than merely a platform for announcing projects and achievements. He identified three key areas for development media: raising awareness, reinforcing values and achieving impact.
Al Buainain said society wanted to understand the causes supported by charitable institutions and how it could become a partner in addressing them. He urged charitable institutions to make better use of media platforms and community voices to encourage public participation and reinforce solidarity and collective responsibility.
Deputy CEO for Governance and Shared Services at Qatar Charity Mohammed Ali Al Ghamdi, said the humanitarian and charitable sector’s strategic plan, launched in 2025, established a common framework for cooperation among stakeholders, including government entities, the private sector, civil society and media institutions.
Assistant Secretary-General for Volunteering and Local Development at Qatar Red Crescent Society Hussein Aman Al Ali highlighted the importance of cooperation among the public sector, private sector and civil society in achieving sustainable development.
Executive Director of Projects at Thani bin Abdullah Foundation for Humanitarian Services Abdul Hakim Al Hashemi highlighted the importance of accuracy, transparency and professional standards in media coverage of charitable and humanitarian activities.
He emphasised the need to verify information and sources, ensure the accuracy of published figures, respect the context of photographs and obtain consent before publishing beneficiaries’ images or personal stories.
Acting Executive Director of the Qatar Society for Rehabilitation of Special Needs Talib Abdullah Al Afifah highlighted the important role of the media in raising awareness about persons with disabilities and showcasing their contributions to society. Planning Researcher at RACA Amina Al Ansari said media should be incorporated into charitable organisations’ strategic plans from the outset, rather than being brought in only after projects had been implemented.
