Doha: The Qatar Media Corporation launched the first edition of the "Media Encyclopedia" at the cultural salon of the 35th Doha International Book Fair, in the presence of media professionals, intellectuals, and visitors.
The initiative aims to document media concepts, theories, figures, and institutions within an academic framework, support Arabic-language media knowledge, and keep pace with rapid digital transformation. It also seeks to enhance critical awareness and improve media discourse across the Arab world.
A panel discussion accompanied the launch, featuring Executive Director of the encyclopedia Mohammed bin Sulaan Al Marri, and Chairman of its Scientific Committee Dr. Mohammed Al Khatib.
The session highlighted the encyclopedia as a knowledge-based Arab initiative aimed at reassessing widely used media terminology, analyzing its intellectual and cultural dimensions, and strengthening the presence of Arabic in media discourse.
It also stressed the need to revise imported concepts and build a unified Arabic reference for evolving digital realities.
The encyclopedia is an interactive and evolving project open to review and continuous development, with future plans including research initiatives, academic programs, and professional activities for media practitioners.
In statements to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Al Marri said the project reflects Qatar's role as a hub for knowledge and media, noting it began last November with 100 media terms and has now reached its first complete edition.
He said the initiative aims to refine media terminology due to its impact on public perception, strengthen Arabic media identity, and improve professional standards.
Al Marri added that the encyclopedia continues to evolve through feedback, with future editions, research awards, and training programs planned, alongside printed copies and a QR-based access system.
In statements to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Dr. Al Khatib said the project began by identifying the most widely used and complex media terms, then studying them within their linguistic and contextual environments.
He explained that the encyclopedia aims to build public awareness of how media language is formed and evolves, by tracing the trajectory of terms and their influence on collective consciousness.
Al Khatib said the first edition includes around 300 terms, with plans to expand to approximately 1,000 within the next two years to cover emerging digital and media developments.
He added that the encyclopedia goes beyond definitions to deconstruct concepts by examining their intellectual and historical origins, describing its methodology as critical analysis rather than superficial commentary.
He noted that the project raises questions about the suitability of certain concepts to contemporary realities, and serves both general readers and academic researchers by providing clear definitions and deeper analytical frameworks.
Al Khatib also stressed that the encyclopedia treats terminology as conceptual systems rather than isolated words, aiming to develop critical awareness of how media narratives are constructed.
He further said the encyclopedia does not view artificial intelligence as merely a technical tool, but as a linguistic, media, and cultural phenomenon that requires deeper study.
Speaking to QNA, Official spokesperson for the Qatar Media Corporation Ali Issa commented that that the launch serves journalists and media professionals by helping them deconstruct and better understand media terminology and its implications.
He said the encyclopedia will become a key reference for media professionals across the Arab world, contributing to the development of the regional media landscape, with future editions planned to further enrich the sector in Qatar and beyond.
