Saudi Arabia Sets 2024 As The Milestone Year For Comprehensive Media Transformation

The Minister of Media, Salman bin Yousef Al-Dosary, recently shared his positive outlook for the future of Saudi media, marking 2024 as the "Year of Media Transformation." This announcement was made during the Saudi Media Forum 3's opening session at the Saudi Aramco Theatre in Riyadh. The forum saw participation from over 2,000 media outlets, both local and international. Al-Dosary's vision is underpinned by four strategic pillars: figures, indicators, passion, and work, all guided by the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and HRH the Crown Prince.

Al-Dosary revealed that the Saudi media industry contributed SAR14.5 billion to the nation's GDP in 2023, with projections indicating an increase to SAR16 billion for this year. The sector also played a significant role in job creation, offering 56,000 employment opportunities last year, with an expected rise to 67,000 in the current year. These achievements underscore the industry's growing influence and its pivotal role in the Kingdom's economic landscape.

The Minister outlined three key strategies aimed at bolstering the media sector's fortitude, enhancing its attractiveness to investors, and elevating the proficiency of national cadres. These strategies involve collaborative efforts with over thirty government institutions to chart a comprehensive strategic direction for Saudi Arabia's media system.

Highlighting specific initiatives, Al-Dosary spoke about the expansion plans for the Saudi Broadcasting Authority (SBA) and the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). The SBA's strategy focuses on broadening its scope, boosting business competitiveness, fostering media talent, and producing high-quality content for global digital platforms. Meanwhile, the SPA aims to enhance its international presence through better network connections and aligning media content with public expectations and contemporary trends.

Noteworthy projects like the "Media Oasis" and "Mediazone" were also discussed. The "Media Oasis" project has engaged over 2,600 journalists from 60 countries, offering insights into more than 30 national projects. The "Mediazone" initiative is either completing its objectives or evolving to incorporate new editions that reflect creative advancements in media arts and expertise.

The minister also emphasized the importance of the Hajj and Umrah seasons by launching projects like the "Hajj and Umrah Mediathon" and establishing the "Hajj Media Hub." These initiatives aim to foster innovative media coverage of these significant events and establish an integrated media community to support professionals in their coverage efforts.

Furthermore, Al-Dosary announced the creation of the Saudi Media Academy. This institution is designed to empower and train individuals in future disciplines while forming strategic partnerships with major technology companies and global media platforms such as Google, Huawei, Alibaba, among others.

In his speech following Al-Dosary's announcement, Mohammed Al-Harthi, President of the Saudi Media Forum and Chairman of SBA, reflected on the comprehensive development renaissance across all levels within the Kingdom. He highlighted how media acts as a mirror reflecting global changes and underscored its critical role in shaping perceptions.