Saudi Arabia wins membership in the International Federation of Journalists for the first time

A historic achievement for Saudi media on the international stage

In a move reflecting the growing influence of Saudi Arabia on the global media scene, the Kingdom achieved a historic milestone by winning, for the first time, a seat on the Executive Committee of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the world's largest organization of journalists. This victory came through the election of the President of the Saudi Journalists Association, Mr. Adhwan Al-Ahmari, as the Kingdom's representative on this prestigious committee for the next four years, in an election that witnessed fierce competition among 148 countries.

What is the International Federation of Journalists and why is it important?

Founded in 1926, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is the global voice of journalists, representing more than 600,000 media professionals in over 140 countries. The organization aims to defend press freedom, the rights of journalists, and to promote professional and ethical standards worldwide. Its Executive Committee is the IFJ's highest governing body, responsible for implementing the decisions of the General Assembly and formulating the organization's policies, making its membership highly influential in shaping the future of journalism globally.

Significance of victory and its strategic dimensions

This victory comes amidst significant transformations in the Kingdom's media sector, in line with Vision 2030, which aims to enhance the Kingdom's soft power and develop its various sectors. Securing a seat on the Executive Committee of the International Federation of Journalists is not merely an honorary position, but rather an international recognition of the stature Saudi media has attained and the efforts of the Saudi Journalists Association in developing the profession locally. This achievement also reflects the high level of international confidence the Kingdom enjoys, especially given that it was one of only 16 countries to secure seats on the committee.

Expected impact at the local and international levels

Domestically, this victory is expected to give a significant boost to Saudi journalists, encouraging greater engagement in international forums and the adoption of global best practices. Internationally, it will provide the Kingdom with an important platform to participate in decision-making on pressing media issues, such as the safety of journalists, combating disinformation, and the future of digital journalism. It also offers an opportunity to share the Saudi experience in developing the media sector with the world and contribute to building bridges of cooperation with other press unions and organizations.

Statements reflecting the magnitude of the achievement

Commenting on the win, Professor Adhwan Al-Ahmari affirmed that this achievement is the fruit of the collective work of the Saudi Journalists Association's board of directors and reflects the confidence of international professional associations in the association's journey since its establishment more than 22 years ago. He added, "We have achieved part of the association's goals with this international presence, and we will continue working towards a greater presence befitting the Kingdom's stature." This victory is a culmination of the media diplomacy efforts exerted by the Saudi delegation participating in the International Press Congress in Paris, France.