British broadcaster and media personality Piers Morgan praised the transformative vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, during a keynote session at the Arab Media Summit on Wednesday. Speaking in Dubai, Morgan described the emirate’s rapid development as “contagious,” citing the construction of the Burj Khalifa as a prime example of its bold ambition.
Morgan recalled that when the Burj Khalifa was just 40 percent complete, Sheikh Mohammed insisted that it be made the tallest building in the world. “That’s the level of ambition the rest of the world needs. Be bigger, better and higher in everything we do,” Morgan said. His comments came on the final day of the Summit, organised by the Dubai Press Club.
In conversation with Mina Al-Oraibi, Editor-in-Chief of The National, Morgan discussed ambition, journalistic integrity, and the challenges facing global media. He addressed controversies surrounding his coverage of the Gaza conflict, stating, “I’m not here to take sides, I’m here for ‘The Truth.’” Highlighting his viral interview with comedian Bassem Youssef, which received over 22 million views, Morgan noted it sparked a broader understanding of the region’s complex dynamics and led to a subsequent in-person meeting in Los Angeles.
He rejected the notion of being a reactionary figure. “I change my views when the facts change. My job is not to take sides, it’s to stand with ‘The Truth’; not your truth or my truth, but ‘The Truth’,” he said. Morgan warned of the growing threat of misinformation, referencing a UK case in which a woman was sentenced to two years in prison over a social media post she later deleted. “She apologised, yet she’s serving two years. That’s baffling. Where do we draw the line?” he asked.
Morgan emphasized that while free speech is essential, it should not be confused with the spread of falsehoods. “Facts are sacred. Agree on the facts; then debate your opinions,” he said. Though he remains a fan of print journalism, Morgan acknowledged the shift in media consumption, observing that younger audiences primarily access news through platforms like TikTok and X.
Commenting on the evolving role of journalists in the age of social media and artificial intelligence, he stated, “Let everyone be a journalist, but for trained professionals, individual credibility is important.” He also explained his embrace of controversy, calling it a mechanism for engagement. “I love controversy! It makes people watch me. But never on false promises. I am the voice of common sense. That’s what most people relate to.”
Morgan concluded by cautioning against overvaluing social media discourse. “Only 20 percent of people are on X, and it’s 8 percent of them making the noise. That doesn’t represent reality.” As the discussion ended, Al-Oraibi highlighted the role of responsible journalism in building informed societies, while Morgan reiterated that in a world filled with noise, truth and ambition remain essential forces for change. – By MENA Newswire News Desk.