Sharjah:The Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB) is set to introduce a specialised training programme titled 'Media Crisis Management and Strategic Analysis' starting on October 20. This initiative is in partnership with the Sharjah Department of Human Resources (SDHR).
According to Emirates News Agency, the programme is designed to enhance the capabilities of government communication professionals throughout Sharjah. It aims to equip them to effectively handle media crises while developing their skills in strategic analysis and institutional reputation management.
The eight-week course, running until December 17, 2026, will be held at the University of Sharjah. It combines theoretical instruction with practical applications, including case studies and simulation exercises, to help participants address media-related challenges and make informed communication decisions.
Targeted participants include government communication professionals working in media, public relations, reputation management, crisis management, emergency response, and institutional response teams. The training also benefits those involved in media monitoring, trend analysis, and report preparation to support decision-making.
Tariq Saeed Allay, Director-General of the SGMB, emphasized the importance of developing these skills to prepare entities for media shifts and crises. He highlighted the need for professionals who can identify, analyze, and translate key indicators into accurate decisions and clear messages amid the fast-evolving media landscape.
Allay pointed out that investing in competencies facilitates quicker responses and informed decision-making. He explained that effective media crisis management starts with monitoring, analysis, and foresight, creating clear scenarios to preempt potential issues from escalating into crises.
The programme focuses on strategic and analytical thinking, assessing strategic environments, media planning, transformational leadership, media monitoring, trend and data analysis, and managing ambiguity and complexity. Participants will also learn about reputation management, digital communication, and integrated media crisis simulations.
Additionally, the training aims to develop skills in crafting proactive media plans, prioritizing messages, analyzing media data, preparing strategic reports, combating misinformation and rumors, and enhancing spokesperson communication during crises. The collaboration with SDHR seeks to align training programmes with workplace needs, thus impacting organizations as well as individuals.