The first World Media Congress, also called as the Global Media Congress was inaugurated in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The Congress is titled ‘Shaping the Future of the Media Industry’. Secretary, Ministry of Information Broadcasting Shri Apurva Chandra said that India has over 1.2 billion mobile phone users and 600 million smart phone users.

• The Secretary congratulated the United Arab Emirates for holding the first ever such Congress. 
• He said, India has over 1.2 billion mobile phone users and 600 million smart phone users. Along with very low data rates, this penetration of smart phones has resulted in users consuming high amount of information and entertainment via mobile devices. Social media has caused faster and deeper percolation of information in India, to the effect that this has even reduced the loss of lives in natural clamities.