Under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, may God protect him, His Excellency the Minister of Media, Mr. Salman bin Yousef Al-Dossari, inaugurated today the fifth edition of the Saudi Media Forum 2026 , held at the Hilton Hotel in Riyadh, under the theme “Media in a Changing World.” This major event underscores the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s position as a regional and international media hub, aligning with the objectives of Vision 2030, which prioritizes the media sector as a cornerstone of soft power and global influence.
Riyadh, the capital of media decision-making
The opening ceremony witnessed a remarkable turnout of over 300 media leaders and experts from 20 countries, with broad participation from Arab information ministers and international officials. In his opening address, the Minister of Information emphasized that the generous royal patronage of the forum lends it exceptional momentum, noting that media is no longer merely a means of conveying news, but has become a tool for development and raising awareness. Al-Dossari explained that the transformations Riyadh is undergoing today are making it a capital of influence, where the role of Saudi media is not limited to the domestic sphere, but extends to form a bridge for cultural exchange with the world, based on the Kingdom's deeply rooted values and its noble mission of serving humanity.
12 initiatives that shape the future
In a move reflecting a shift from theory to practice, the Minister of Information announced the launch of 12 key initiatives aimed at empowering the media sector and strengthening its digital infrastructure. Among the most prominent of these initiatives are:
- Media Innovation Camp (Saudi MIB): In partnership with the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), to promote augmented journalism technologies and the virtual broadcaster.
- The global “Saudipedia” encyclopedia: Expanding the scope of the encyclopedia to include translation into 5 international languages (English, French, Chinese, Russian and German), to be the first reliable reference about the Kingdom globally.
- AI Principles in Media Document: A proactive step to regulate the ethics of using technology in content creation.
- “Tamkeen” and “Nomo” initiatives: to support startups and entrepreneurs in the media sector and transform ideas into sustainable projects.
Artificial intelligence and the attention economy
The forum addressed the challenges of the digital age, with Minister Al-Dossari highlighting the dangers of an "attention economy" controlled by algorithms and warning against the separation of media from human values. He emphasized that the Saudi vision for media balances technological development with ethical commitment, stressing the need to protect youth by building informed media environments rather than relying on policies of censorship and exclusion. This discussion comes at a time when the world is facing major challenges related to the credibility of content and its impact on societies.
Future Media Exhibition (FOMEX)
Concurrently with the forum sessions, the Future of Media Exhibition (FOMEX), the largest of its kind in the region, kicked off with the participation of more than 250 local and international companies. The exhibition provides a platform to showcase the latest technologies in broadcasting, digital production, and artificial intelligence, offering promising investment opportunities and the potential for strategic partnerships that will contribute to the development of the media landscape in the Kingdom.
Honoring innovators and awards for excellence
The ceremony concluded with the honoring of the winners of the 2026 Saudi Media Award, which witnessed unprecedented competition with the participation of more than 500 works from 20 countries, reflecting the growing confidence in the award as a benchmark for professional excellence. It was also announced that the Kingdom will host the “Impact” forum for influencers in Qiddiya, with the participation of 2,000 content creators from 90 countries, a move that will further enhance the Kingdom’s presence on the global digital media map.
