The Qatari media organisation plays a vital role in improving the media in Qatar, specifically television and radio. This was noticed when it implemented the 2011-16 national strategy, and it is working on Qatar National Vision 2030.
The organisation focuses on improving media outlets, including private and national media organisations, since they have a great influence on the Qatari community.
Of course, Qatarisation of the press is not the duty of just the Qatari media organisation; it is a process in which many parties play a role, including private media organisations, the Ministry of Culture, Art and Heritage, civil society groups, non-government organisations, businessmen and private sector organisations that serve the community.
The high-level decision to establish the Qatari media organisation was aimed at promoting professionalism and efficiency in media outlets, especially radio and TV stations. This requires the following:
- Providing radio and TV services locally and abroad, and helping develop state organisations with modern scientific methods.
- Planning, developing, producing, documenting and presenting local and international radio and TV programmes, other material and services, and promoting them by selling or giving permission to broadcast them locally and internationally.
- Signing contracts with private and government bodies, and international, Arab, and Gulf organisations for producing, exchanging and promoting radio and TV programmes and other material.
- Owning all fixed and movable assets necessary for establishing and running TV and radio stations.
- Getting permission for TV and radio material and production through digital media.
- Broadcasting, receiving and reporting radio and TV news, programmes and services via terrestrial antennas and satellites.
- Owning the copyrights to TV and radio programmes. This is besides having the right to broadcast art festivals, sports tournaments and related local or international activities.
- Concluding contracts, agreements and memorandums of understanding that are necessary for carrying out certain activities in coordination with the competent authorities.
- Producing and broadcasting commercials, and dealing with different services related to TV and radio programmes and material while taking into consideration the society’s customs and traditions.
- Administering its resources and investing in activities related to fields that match the nature of these resources.
- Starting up and owning independent or shared companies, whether at home or abroad, to do business within the scope of the jurisdiction of the institution after obtaining the approval of the Cabinet.
The role of Qatari media organisation is clear today in relation to the Qatarisation of the press and for producing press material that is at least 30 to 40 percent Qatarised.
This won’t isolate our press from the general message of the media as the press is part of the Qatari media organisation.
