Sheikha Latifa honours Arab Media Award winners

Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, has honoured winners across multiple categories of the Arab Media Award.

Organised by the Dubai Press Club, the Award’s General Secretariat, the ceremony took place on the opening day of the Arab Media Summit 2026, marking the award’s silver jubilee.

The ceremony brought together senior dignitaries, ministers and media leaders, as well as prominent figures from across the Arab media landscape, including heads of organisations, editors-in-chief, writers, thinkers, academics, content creators and influencers.

"The Arab Media Award has established its role in advancing professional and creative standards, and has been an integral part of Dubai’s journey as a regional and global media hub," said His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council. 

"The Award will continue to inspire higher standards of professional competition and contribute to building a more innovative, impactful Arab media sector that is ready for the future," he added.

On the occasion of the award’s silver jubilee, Sheikh Ahmed reflected on its 25-year journey since its launch as the Arab Journalism Award.

He highlighted its evolution into a leading platform for recognising excellence in Arab media and its contribution to Dubai’s growth as a global media hub, bringing together the talent, expertise and ideas shaping the industry’s future.

2026 Winners

• Walid Abdul Latif Al-Nusif, Editor-in-Chief, Al-Qabas, Kuwait - Media Personality of the Year Award
• Inaam Kachachi, Iraqi journalist and novelist - Best Columnist Award.
• Visual Media Award - CNBC Arabia’s ‘Taht Al Daw’ (Under the Spotlight) won the Best Economic Programme Award, which was received by presenters Rula Al Tarawneh and Al Tayeb Abdulmajid.
• The Best Social Programme Award went to 'Al Soura' (The Image) on Egypt’s Al Nahar TV, and was received by the programme’s presenter, Lamis Elhadidy. 'Hadith Al Arab' (Arab Conversations), broadcast on Sky News Arabia, won the Best Cultural Programme Award, and was received by its presenter, Dr. Sulaiman Al Hattlan.
• The Best Sports Programme Award went to 'Mal‘abna' (Our Stadium), broadcast on Al Mashhad, and was received by its presenter, Lotfi Al Zaabi. The Best Documentary Award went to 'Maps of Thirst', a documentary produced by Sky News Arabia, and was received by Fal AlMomen.
• Arab Journalism Award - Political Journalism Award went to Dr. Ayman Samir of UAE newspaper Al Khaleej for his article, 'Could World War III Break Out?'
• The Arab Journalism Award for Economic Journalism went to Malek El Kaakour of Asharq Al Awsat for his article, 'The AI Tsunami Sweeping Millions into Unemployment'.
• The Investigative Reporting Award went to Adnan Al Gharbi of UAE newspaper Al Bayan for his investigation, 'Stimulants and Hormones in Sports Supplements: A Silent Threat to Youth'.

The Arab Media Summit has drawn nearly 10,000 media professionals and industry stakeholders from the UAE and abroad.

Highlights from the first day of the Arab Media Summit, which brings together eight specialised forums and three major awards under one umbrella. This year’s edition attracts 10,000 participants and runs until 17 September at the Dubai World Trade Centre. #ArabMediaSummit pic.twitter.com/gbd8LkfNrd

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) September 15, 2026

Latifa bint Mohammed honours the winners across the various categories of the Arab Media Award during a ceremony organised by Dubai Press Club, the Award’s General Secretariat, on the opening day of the Arab Media Summit 2026, marking the Award’s Silver Jubilee. #ArabMediaSummit pic.twitter.com/bjEP32EBZL

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) September 15, 2026