World needs ambition like Sheikh Mohammed's, says Piers Morgan
Dubai's scale of evolution, transformation and dynamism is contagious, said renowned British broadcaster and media personality Piers Morgan, while praising the bold vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai.
Recalling the construction of the Burj Khalifa, Morgan noted that when the tower was just 40% complete, Sheikh Mohammed instructed it be pushed to become 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,' he said.
Piers Morgan speaks during the session at the Arab Media Summit in Dubai.
From admiration for Dubai's amazing growth to a hard-hitting critique of global media challenges, Morgan's session at the Arab Media Summit with Mina Al Oraibi, Editor-in-Chief of The National, on Wednesday, touched upon ambition, truth, controversy, and the future of journalism. He was speaking on the third and final day of the Summit organised by the Dubai Press Club.
The session addressed controversies around his coverage of the Gaza conflict "I'm not here to take sides, I'm here for 'The Truth,' Morgan emphasised. Responding to Al Oraibi's point about his rising influence in the Middle East, Morgan cited his viral debate with comedian Bassem Youssef, which garnered over 22 million views. "That moment showed us the world was watching,' he said, recounting how the two later met in Los Angeles for an extensive discussion that helped him understand the region's complex history.
Sheikha Latifa and Dr Anwar Gargash with Piers Morgan during the Arab Media Forum in Dubai.
He clarified that he is not a reactionary. "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 explained. He warned of a rising tide of misinformation, citing a recent UK case where a woman was jailed over a now-deleted social media post. "She apologised, yet she's serving two years. That's baffling. Where do we draw the line?'
"Free speech must be protected,' he said, "but it must not be confused with fake news. Facts are sacred. Agree on the facts; then debate your opinions.' While Morgan admitted he still enjoys reading print newspapers, he was blunt about their future: "No one under 35 is consuming traditional media. They get their news from TikTok and X. That's the reality.''
Emphasising the importance of credibility in the age of AI, when social media gives News, he said, "Let everyone be a journalist, but for trained professionals, individual credibility is important.'
Asked why he doesn't shy away from controversy, Morgan was candid: "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.'
He cautioned against overestimating noise on social media: "Only 20% of people are on X, and it's 8% of them making the noise. That doesn't represent reality.'
When asked about the future of media, Morgan responded, "Legacy media is in the dark ages. Look at where youngsters are today; they are on phones, laptops, YouTube. That's the future.'
As the session closed, Al-Oraibi emphasised the importance of responsible journalism in shaping informed societies, while Morgan reiterated that in a world full of noise, truth still matters, and real ambition can reshape the world.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Today
3 hours ago
- Gulf Today
Tens of thousands join pro-Palestinian marches in London and Berlin
Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters marched in London and Berlin on Saturday calling for an end to the war in Gaza, amid concerns that the Iran-Israel conflict could spark wider regional devastation. Protesters in the British capital waved Palestinian flags, donned keffiyeh scarves and carried signs including "Stop arming Israel" and "No war on Iran" as they marched in the sweltering heat. "It's important to remember that people are suffering in Gaza. I fear all the focus will be on Iran now," said 34-year-old Harry Baker, attending his third pro-Palestinian protest. "I don't have great love for the Iranian regime, but we are now in a dangerous situation," he added. There have been monthly protests in the British capital since the start of the 20-month-long war between Israel and Hamas, which has ravaged Gaza. Demonstrators protest against conditions in Gaza and to impose sanctions against Israel and against arms shipments in front of the Reichstag building. Reuters Saturday's march comes amid heightened global tensions as the United States mulls joining Israel's strikes against Iran. Cries of "Palestine will be free" rang out as protesters carried signs saying "Hands off Gaza" or "Stop starving Gaza." Gaza is suffering from famine-like conditions according to UN agencies in the region following an Israeli aid blockade. Gaza's civil defence agency has reported that hundreds have been killed by Israeli forces while trying to reach the US- and Israeli-backed aid distribution sites. Protesters wave Palestinian and Iranian flags as they take part in a march through central London on Saturday. AFP "People need to keep their eyes on Gaza. That's where the genocide is happening," said 60-year-old protester Nicky Marcus. "I feel frustrated, angry because of what's happening in Gaza," said 31-year-old data analyst Jose Diaz. "It's in everyone's eyes. It's still on after so many months," Diaz added. 'Scared' The overall death toll in Gaza since the war broke out has reached at least 55,637 people, according to the health ministry. A 31-year-old Iranian student who did not want to share her name, told AFP she had family in Iran and was "scared". "I'm worried about my country. I know the regime is not good but it's still my country. I'm scared," she said. Tehran said over 400 people have been killed in Iran since Israel launched strikes last week claiming its arch-foe was close to acquiring a nuclear weapon, which Iran denies. Some 25 people have been killed in Israel, according to official figures. In Berlin, more than 10,000 people gathered in the centre of the city in support of Gaza, according to police figures. "You can't sit on the sofa and be silent. Now is the time when we all need to speak up," said protestor Gundula, who did not want to give her second name. "Germany finances, Israel bombs" was among the chants from the crowd, which gathered mid-afternoon close to the German parliament. For Marwan Radwan, the point of the protest was to bring attention to the "genocide currently taking place" and the "dirty work" being done by the German government. Agence France-Presse
Gulf Today
8 hours ago
- Gulf Today
F1 movie star Pitt finally gets to drive a Formula One car
Brad Pitt, whose new F1 movie is out next week, has now driven a Formula One car for real after testing a McLaren at Austin's Circuit of the Americas. The reigning world champions confirmed the Hollywood A lister drove a 2023 McLaren MCL60 car at the Texas track on Thursday. Media reports said the British-based team had been carrying out a private test with F1 regular Lando Norris and F2 driver Alex Dunne. It was the first time 61-year-old Pitt, who plays the fictional racing driver Sonny Hayes in the Apple Originals movie, had driven a real Formula One car on track. The cars used in the making of the film were Formula Two cars, modified by Mercedes to look like real grand prix racers. Champions McLaren had teased the drive on Thursday with a social media post of overalls with the initials BP and the caption "It's a Sonny day in Austin". Seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton, a co-producer of the movie, said in March that Pitt had shown real speed while testing the F2 cars. "Watching Brad drive around at speeds over 180 miles an hour was really impressive to see because it's not something you can just learn overnight," he said. "The dedication and the focus that Brad put into this process has been amazing to witness." Reuters
Middle East Eye
9 hours ago
- Middle East Eye
British voters have spoken on Gaza. How will leaders respond?
For more than 20 months, we have watched the devastation in Gaza unfold: entire neighbourhoods razed, families buried beneath the rubble, the healthcare system obliterated. Even the most basic rights to safety, clean water and food are being systematically denied. Despite mounting and credible evidence that Israel's actions in Gaza meet the definition of genocide under international law, many western leaders have equivocated, delayed or outright denied the scale of the atrocities. But the British public is not being fooled. New polling commissioned by Action For Humanity, in partnership with the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians and conducted by YouGov, shows that the public is far ahead of the political establishment. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters A majority of respondents - 55 percent - now oppose Israel's military campaign in Gaza. Among them, a striking 82 percent say Israel's actions constitute genocide. That means nearly half of all UK adults - 45 percent - view Israel's actions in Gaza as genocidal. This is not a fringe opinion. It reflects the reality on the ground - a reality that, despite relentless efforts to spread doubt, has become increasingly difficult to deny. From the targeting of civilians, journalists and humanitarian workers to the destruction of infrastructure essential to life, the evidence has grown steadily. So, too, has public awareness. Media silence While many mainstream outlets have downplayed or obscured the scale of atrocities being committed in Gaza, social media - and courageous platforms like Middle East Eye - have provided an unflinching view of what is happening. People cannot unsee what they have seen. Even securing coverage in mainstream media for these shocking polling results, conducted by a highly reputable organisation like YouGov, has proven difficult. The message could not be clearer: the British public believes in international law. They believe in accountability, and they want action Upon closer examination of the data, the picture becomes even clearer. Nearly two-thirds of Britons - 65 percent - believe the UK must enforce the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he were to visit the country. Among Labour voters, the figure rises to 78 percent. The message could not be clearer: the British public believes in international law. The people believe in accountability. And they want action. While the ICC has taken the first steps towards justice, doing what many western governments have refused to do, the UK government has so far failed to match this legal progress with political will. Follow Middle East Eye's live coverage of the Israel-Palestine war As our polling shows, voters - particularly those who helped deliver Labour a landslide victory just weeks ago - are demanding a meaningful change in approach. This is not only about justice for Gaza. It is about what kind of country Britain wants to be. Will we uphold our commitments to international law, or retreat behind the shield of diplomatic convenience? A turning tide The polling also shows strong public support for meaningful political solutions. Among Labour voters, 43 percent support the immediate recognition of Palestine as an independent state - with only 2 percent opposed. More than half - 56 percent - support the creation of a humanitarian visa scheme for Palestinians from Gaza, a 'Homes for Gaza' initiative modelled on the one introduced for Ukrainian refugees. Why the UK refuses to do the one thing that could stop Israel's 'intolerable' war on Gaza Read More » The time for mealy-mouthed statements and diplomatic hedging has long passed. When atrocities reach the threshold of genocide, silence is complicity - and the public understands this. The polling shows that Labour's position on Gaza is out of step with its own supporters. The cost of inaction is not just moral - it is political. Leaders who continue to ignore the will of the people on Gaza risk abandoning their moral responsibility and alienating their voters. While this may seem a cynical lens through which to view such suffering, it is difficult not to feel cynical when faced with the ongoing inaction of world leaders in the face of deliberate, systematic brutality. This is not just a British phenomenon. In Canada, recent polling suggests that nearly half the public believes Israel's actions in Gaza amount to genocide. It is safe to say that the tide is turning - across the West and globally. As an organisation working on the front lines in Gaza and other conflict zones, we have seen firsthand the human cost of global impunity. But we have also seen the power of solidarity - of justice pursued, and of public opinion transformed into policy. Western governments' failure to recognise the scale of the crimes being inflicted on Gaza places them not only on the wrong side of history, but on the wrong side of the present. The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Eye.
