Arab Media Ministers Highlight Media's Role In Driving Change At Saudi Media Forum 2026

Arab media ministers are set to join a major panel at the Saudi Media Forum 2026 in Riyadh, opening on Monday, to examine how media shapes public opinion, manages rapid change, and influences future generations under the theme "Media in an Evolving World."

The forum will bring together more than 300 media professionals, experts, academics, and specialists from Saudi Arabia and abroad, who will participate in over 150 panel discussions assessing how the media industry develops at local, regional, and international levels.

The ministers’ session will explore the media’s role in steering social change, reading public mood, and influencing younger generations, while reviewing how Arab media operates amid fast digital and political shifts that create new responsibilities for institutions and professionals across the region.

Panel speakers will study the relationship between media outputs and public opinion, looking at how this link affects political and social decision-making, and how news platforms can contribute more effectively to public policymaking while also strengthening community engagement in different Arab societies.

The discussion will examine the spread of misinformation, the pressure on newsrooms to adjust to digital platforms, and the continuing need to strengthen trust and credibility, as media organisations balance speed with accuracy in an environment shaped by constant online activity.

Participants will analyse digital transformation and technical pressures, giving special attention to how social media channels and artificial intelligence tools influence news distribution, while also debating how to balance freedom of expression with content responsibility, ensuring accurate reporting and protecting societies from harmful or misleading information.

The panel will also highlight media strategies that aim to deepen cross-cultural understanding, improve dialogue between different communities, and support policymakers with reliable information, reflecting the broader goals of the Saudi Media Forum 2026 to address current challenges while preparing for future media needs.

With inputs from SPA