المملكة: Including the launch of 12 initiatives…the most prominent highlights of the opening of the Saudi Media Forum

In his speech, the Minister of Information confirmed that the royal patronage of the forum from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud – may God support him – is a badge of honor and pride for the media professionals. Today, it gives the forum a broader dimension, gives it a deeper vision, and sees the media as a tool for awareness and a means of development, and in light of this generous royal patronage.

Saudi Media Forum

The work of the Saudi Media Forum begins under the slogan "Media in a world that is shaping up"With the participation of more than 300 media leaders and experts from more than 20 countries, through more than 150 specialized dialogue sessions discussing the intersection of media, politics, economics, culture, technology, and innovation, and in the presence of international and regional think tanks, in an image that reflects the Kingdom’s leadership in the media industry. This forum is also accompanied by the creative version of the Future of Media Exhibition (FOMEX) with the participation of more than 250 local and international companies.

His Excellency said: "Today we live in a world in which money and value are in conflict. In many contemporary media models, the attention economy has become the dominant one. Algorithms have rewarded excitement and punished enrichment. Success has become measured by the size of its spread, not by the depth of its impact. In this context, the ethical question becomes an existential question: What happens when media is separated from value? When a person turns from an end to a means? Here the fundamental difference in the Saudi vision is evident. The Kingdom always emphasizes that values ​​in the media are not a cosmetic addition, nor a propaganda speech, but rather a deep structure that governs policies, directs decisions, and controls the relationship between technology and humans."

He stressed the inevitable responsibility of the media towards young people, as protecting future generations in the digital age is not achieved by prevention or isolation, but by creating conscious media environments, in which morals and values prevail in a way that maintains psychological and cognitive balance, and in which content is presented as a tool for building awareness and not a commodity for consumption, pointing out that the goal of fortifying children is to prepare them to interact with the world with confidence without losing their identity or losing their compass. Value.

Saudi media system

Al-Dosari explained that what was achieved in the Saudi media system with the support of the wise leadership – may God support it – during the past years was not an expansion of tools, nor a circumstantial response to transformations, but rather the establishment of a new reading of the media, and that what was added by the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, transferred the media from separate efforts to an integrated structure, and from a traditional organization to flexible governance that preserves the balance between freedom and freedom. And responsibility, and between openness and raising awareness.

His Excellency the Minister of Information announced the launch of 12 specific initiatives in this forum, the most prominent of which are: "Media Innovation Camp" Saudi MIB, in the fields of enhanced journalism, smart content creation, and virtual broadcaster, in partnership with the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority "Sdaya"And other qualitative initiatives such as: Initiative "Enable" To support entrepreneurial ideas and startup companies, and an initiative "growth" In partnership with the Kafalah program; This is to transform media ideas into sustainable business models.

His Excellency also announced the issuance of a document on principles of artificial intelligence in media in partnership with "Sdaya"; To establish the principle of responsible use of modern technologies, and open the door to advanced stages of activation, support and empowerment.

Building leadership and empowering talent

He explained that media transformation begins with humans; Therefore, the system focused on building leadership and empowering talent, and in this context we launched a program "Media scholarship" In partnership with the Ministry of Education, by making approximately 100 seats available this year; In order to qualify Saudi talents in the best universities, educational institutions and media companies in the world, and to convey the Kingdom’s heritage, history and identity globally, an encyclopedia is launched. "Saudipedia" Translation path into five international languages.

They are: English, French, Chinese, Russian, and German. Today, their content exceeds more than 70 thousand articles. To be a digital knowledge reference that documents the Kingdom’s history, culture, achievements and future with credibility and reliability.

He added: It is part of an extended process of the initiative "Treasures"The Ministry is pleased to launch more than 30 documentary and cinematic works this year, embodying the heritage and future of the Kingdom, with the best international standards, with the participation of national talent, and in cooperation with Saudi and international directors, in content that presents the Saudi identity to the world with a contemporary and authentic professional vision.

His Excellency announced the hosting of more than 2,000 content makers and influencers from more than 90 countries, within the influence track, in the second edition of the Forum. Impact makers" Empac" In the city of Qiddiya, where an exceptional experience that goes beyond the ordinary will be presented with the partners, in which the sessions will be conducted in a creative spirit.

Saudi Media Award 2026

He pointed out that the media emerges as a fundamental driver of the economy, expressing his pleasure in participating in the forum’s participation in the second edition of the report on the state of media in the Kingdom and investment opportunities, through the General Authority for Media Regulation; To be an analytical reference that reflects the movement of the sector in numbers and data, and provides an in-depth reading of its investment opportunities because investment is driven by data, not expectations.

His Excellency announced the launch of the Saudi News Agency. "SPA" The Center for Media Studies and Opinion Polls to be a reliable reference for collecting and analyzing data; In a way that supports the development of media policies on accurate scientific foundations.

The Minister of Information expressed his congratulations to the male and female winners of the Saudi Media Award 2026, which comes in partnership with the Human Capacity Development Program through four main tracks and sixteen branches, as the Award received more than 500 nominated works from more than 20 countries, with a growth of more than 200% in international participation.

Serving Humanity

The Minister of Information concluded His speech, emphasizing that Riyadh is the capital of influence, and that the Kingdom’s media begins with the human being and its impact extends to the world, and all human and natural resources, no matter how great, cannot make their impact on their own, but rather flourish with a leader who gives them meaning and makes an impact in them, and that what every Saudi man and woman is most proud of is the leader of influence, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister – may God protect him – so the influence of His Highness today on the global scene is not only political influence. Rather, it is a major media message, and a spirit of peace, love, and trust in man. Because it addresses the world with a message of values, clarity of vision, hard work, achievements achieved, and service to humanity everywhere in the world.

His Excellency renewed his welcome to the forum’s attendees, as influential partners, contributors of ideas, participants in dialogue, and enjoying a kind of media forum, designed to inspire and influence.

For his part, the head of the Saudi Media Forum, Mohammed bin Fahd Al-Harithi, said: "We were pleased to open the Saudi Media Forum under the generous patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and in the remarkable presence of a number of Arab information ministers and an elite group of international media leaders, in a scene that reflects the advanced position now occupied by the Saudi media. The speech of His Excellency the Minister of Information embodied an ambitious and clear vision for the future of the sector, which carried within it qualitative initiatives and unprecedented numbers that confirm the scale of the transformation that the media is witnessing in the Kingdom.".

Launching 12 strategic initiatives

He pointed out that the launch of 12 strategic initiatives, and the organization of more than 150 sessions with the participation of more than 300 leaders and experts from more than 20 countries, in addition to the FOMEX exhibition with the participation of more than 250 companies, and specific projects such as: Saudipedia in five languages, media scholarship programs, and an artificial intelligence document; They all reflect a vital media system based on innovation, professionalism and sustainable impact.

He stressed that this forum represents one of the soft power tools of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, whether in conveying its message to the world or in strengthening its relations with its international partners, and today the visits of guests to the Red Sea and Al-Ula clearly reflect this role, as a living example of the transformation that the Kingdom is witnessing and its cultural, tourism and civilizational openness.

He pointed out that the heavy attendance and wide interaction; They confirm that the Saudi Media Forum has become a global platform for creating the media future and enhancing the Kingdom’s presence with confidence and power on the international arena.
The first day of the forum witnessed several diverse dialogue sessions across four main theatres: Al-Ula Theater, Investment Theater, Leaders Theater, and Inspiration Theater.

Media Future Exhibition

The first day of the forum also witnessed the launch of the Media Future Exhibition. "Fomix"which includes exhibitor pavilions, which attract government institutions and local and international private companies; With the aim of displaying its contributions and products in the fields of media, radio and television.

In addition to a platform that gives exhibitors the opportunity to share their services and innovations with visitors, the exhibition includes the launch area, which is a dedicated space that allows companies to display their latest innovations and media technologies, in addition to concluding strategic partnerships, which contribute to the development of the future media system.

It presents a theater "Fomix"Comprehensive insights into the media sector through discussion sessions, dialogue and workshops, in the presence of prominent speakers at the local and international levels. It also paves the way for the signing of cooperation agreements and partnerships.