An expert panel will discuss the rise of a new media landscape in the Middle East and the future of  'traditional media' in the digital age at an event organised by SAE Institute, one of the largest creative media educator.

The panel, comprising digital enthusiasts, media professionals and students, will be headed by publisher, blogger, and authority on the media revolution Mark Briggs, whose book 'Journalism 2.0: How to Survive and Thrive in the Digital Age' was an early harbinger of the new media.

SAE Institute said the discussion is timely as it gears up to launch the region’s first diploma in Digital Journalism on May 24 at The Shelter Dubai.

Panelists include Pia Heikkila, co-creator of the new SAE Institute Digital Journalism Course and a freelance digital journalist; Khaled Khalifa, head of the UN's Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN), ME and Asia Bureau; Nabila Usman, writer, journalist and business development executive for Newzglobe.com, an e-news portal; and author and media personality Ali Al Saloom, writer of the popular 'Ask Ali' column.

The discussion on whether 'traditional' media will survive in the digital age will be moderated by Reg Athwal, co-founder and chairman of online television platform onetvo.com.

Predrag Toncev, SAE Institute Dubai Campus manager and head of Multimedia said: “There is the expectation now days for 24/7 news, which is driving the demand for a new generation of digital journalists. It is clear that the Middle East is embracing this shift to new media and as a result the news landscape in the region will never be the same.”

“As the pioneers in creative media, the launch of the new SAE Digital Journalism Diploma is timely given the explosion of digital media here in the Middle East,” Toncev added.

According to recent reports, regional internet penetration grew a staggering 1675 per cent from 2000-2009, while internet site twitter grew by nearly 300 per cent in the second quarter of 2009, and Youtube and Facebook now rank in the top five most popular online portals in the UAE.

Commenting on the new course, Heikkila said: “There is no denying the fact that the Middle East has entered the digital age, and it is crucial that future journalists are equipped to excel in this new environment."

"Today’s modern world has created a radically different approach to the way we report, create and digest our news content, which calls for new age journalists to document, edit and deliver their stories with increased mobility and flexibility," he noted.

"With the increasing global demand for self-shooting, mobile “back-pack” journalists, SAE's Digital Journalism course is essential for anyone who wants to carve a successful career in the competitive field of journalism,"  added Heikkila.

The SAE Digital Journalism Programme has its first intake on June 27 with enrolments open now, said Toncev.

The 12 month, full time course combines high academic standards with plenty of practical, hands-on exercises to equip students with proper professional journalism skills for the new digital age, he added.

SAE Institute Dubai is part of the largest worldwide private college for Audio Production, Film Production, Interactive Animation and Applied Multimedia, providing practical training courses and academic degree programmes across 54 schools in 28 countries.-TradeArabia News Service