Issue 1

THIS IS AN INTERVIEW BY PREMIER PLAYERS MAGAZINE WITH
MR. MAJID HAMID
HASSAN AL JAZAF.
HE IS A PROMINENT PERSONA OF KUWAITI
TV AND CURRENTLY SERVES AS ASSISTANT
UNDERSECRETARY FOR KUWAIT TELEVISION.
15
1- How did you begin your journey within the
media sector till your current position?
I have started gaining experience as an intern
undergraduate at the news station CNN
(1990-1991). I had previously held many positions in
the field of media: I have administered training
courses at Kuwait University in the major of
“Television Direction”, been a television director,
an observer within the Kuwait Television, the
director of the Channel 2 in Kuwait TV, and
currently Assistant Undersecretary for Television
Affairs since 2016.
2- Do you enjoy your job? Why?
I enjoy my work a lot as it constitutes a big chunk
of my life as of a principle I’ve been abiding by
since childhood: a faithful believer is one who
whole-heartedly masters his work. I have
benefited a great deal from being a TV fan and
from performing TV directing. A man can
accomplish miracles if he works with passion,
unlike many people who turn their jobs into a daily
burdensome chore.
3- You of course have special skills that made you
worthy of your position, can you tell us about
those?
My education and experience abroad gave me an
objective technical insight which aided me in the
selection and modernization of TV programs in
accordance with the state’s policies, in addition to
cutting down on expenditure and redistributing
funds according to the actual needs of the sector.
4- In your opinion, what is holding back Kuwaiti
media from further advances? How did you
contribute to the development of the Kuwaiti
media?
Frankly, we need to invest in the young people in
the media sector, and in developing skills of
modern technology specially via studying abroad
to keeping up with modern techniques and
subsequently applying those new acquired skilled
to benefit Kuwait.
Through my work at Kuwait Television I have
established Al Qrain channel and contributed to
the achievement of the title “The Most Watched
Channel” for Kuwait TV for the first time during
2016-2017, according to the reports from the
international agency Ipsos Connect.
I have also made a big change regarding
benefiting from local talents rather than hiring
from abroad.
5- how did the Ministry of
Information support the Kuwaiti
series?
Kuwait TV has always supported
the local serials that are
characterized by high quality of
work in terms of subject matter,
direction and implementation to
present the Arab viewers with the
best quality series.
6- How do you fight cheap themed
projects?
Kuwait TV and the Ministry of
Information have committees to
select the quality of the work
presented to suit the culture of
Kuwait considering its
corresponding standards.
These committees are overseen by
experts and technicians whose job
is to spot programs with high
accuracy and complying
conditions.
7- Some systems deliberately
introduce hidden subliminal
messages in serials and movies
that serve their agenda. Is there
any Kuwaiti censorship on these?
Has Kuwait adopted this approach
even for noble purposes?
It is worth mentioning that many
channels follow this method but
we don’t. The Kuwait TV is very
strict in terms of subject matter so
all programs are censored
including kids’ programs.
We are also working hard to
intensify the current development
programs to highlight the plan of
Kuwait “New Kuwait” in
cooperation with all ministries in
accordance with the vision of His
Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al
- Ahmad Al - Jaber Al - Sabah
Al-Sabah.
8. Are there any topics you
encourage within the Kuwaiti
media arts?
Sure... We encourage projects
which aim to educate future
generations, sheds light on the
positive side of life, and promotes
respect for our customs and
traditions. Thus, transforming
these media projects into a
reflection of our culture. We also
encourage kid’s programs; our
popular kid’s program "Open
Sesame" echoed all over the Arab
World.
9- Are there certain seasons in
which entertainment media is
active or idle throughout the year?
The holy month of Ramadan is one
of the most active months in which
most Arab channels are active.
10. Is it true that you have set
certain "rules" related to the dress
code for female broadcasters?
Why? Does it involve media arts?
We as a Kuwaiti Muslim
conservative society strictly
respect customs and traditions.
Hence, we consider our
broadcasting as family oriented
rather than individually tailored.
Therefore, a modest classy outfit is
more conveying to the image of
Kuwait which is portrayed in media
projects.
11- What are the most dangerous
red lines for Kuwaiti media?
Any matters related to the violation
of religions or racism is a red line.
The media can be a double-edged
weapon: abusing topics like
defaming religions or inhumane
discrimination is enough to destroy
a country.
12- Do you support a certain
football team, why?
FC Barcelona of course. There are
a gazillion reasons why one might
love FC Barcelona, Barcelona have
some of the best inspirational
players in the world, a strong
legacy, they have this ancient
bloody rivalry with Real Madrid
and to many people, they are
extremely likable.