Dubai: The Dubai Press Club has opened submissions for the 25th edition of the Arab Media Award, held annually under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and the directives of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council. This announcement by the General Secretariat of the Award, representing the Dubai Press Club, coincides with the silver jubilee of the award, marking a new milestone in its tradition of excellence.
According to Emirates News Agency, the award continues to strengthen its position as the most prestigious platform for honouring Arab media talent. Submissions are invited across two broad categories, the Arab Journalism Award and the Visual Media Award. The Arab Media Award upholds the highest standards of professional ethics and excellence with a rigorous evaluation process characterised by exceptional levels of integrity and transparency. The competition is intense, with thousands of applications received annually from around the Arab world.
Dating back to 1999, the award has come to symbolise media enterprise and innovation in the Arab world, thanks to years of tireless work to align its rigorous criteria with the latest advancements shaping the media sector globally. Dr. Maitha Buhumaid, Secretary-General of the Arab Media Award, stated that the launch of a new cycle of the award, in its silver jubilee year, represents a significant milestone in the journey of this pioneering Arab media initiative. Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the award serves as a platform that brings together leading figures from across the media landscape, setting new benchmarks in industry excellence and recognising those who have made significant contributions to Arab media development.
Dr. Buhumaid further emphasized that over a quarter of a century, the award has embodied an integrated system of professional values rooted in the highest standards of integrity and transparency, earning pride of place in the Arab world and serving as a benchmark for influential and inspiring media achievements. The announcement of the new cycle reaffirms the award’s commitment to keeping pace with the sector’s rapid advancements and ensuring that its criteria reflect the innovative spirit of the times and the changing needs of Arab media.
Maryam Al Mulla, Director of the Dubai Press Club, remarked that the Arab Media Award’s continued success over the past 25 years as the most prestigious event celebrating media excellence in the Arab world motivates further consolidation of this success. The creative spirit of Dubai and the vision of its leadership continue to inspire the award’s culture of creativity in Arab media, emphasizing that excellence buds from bold ideas and leadership is shaped in an environment where informed opinion and creative thinking are valued.
Jasim Al Shemsi, Director of the Arab Media Award, announced that the deadline for receiving nominations across various categories is 17 January, 2026. He highlighted that the award aims to be more than an annual tradition and remains a strategic project fostering exceptional media achievements and enhancing the media’s role in supporting Arab societies’ aspirations for progress and prosperity. As the award marks its 25th edition, confidence remains in its continued leadership of Arab media to new horizons.
The Arab Journalism Award includes four sub-categories: Political Journalism, Economic Journalism, Investigative Reporting, and Best Columnist, decided by the Award’s Board of Directors. The Visual Media Award includes five categories: Best Economic Programme, Best Social Programme, Best Cultural Programme, Best Documentary Project, and the Best Sports Programme. Additionally, the Arab Media Award features a special category, the ‘Media Personality of the Year,’ recognising a prominent Arab media figure whose work has significantly enriched the regional media landscape. Nominations are open to individuals and media organisations across the Arab world, with submissions screened and judged according to meticulous criteria. Winners will be announced during a ceremony as part of the Arab Media Summit in Dubai.