Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — About 60 top professionals from across the globe are scheduled to address the 1st Saudi Media Forum to be held here on Dec. 2 and 3 under the theme “Media Industry: Opportunities and Challenges.”

In a statement, Mohammed Bin Fahd Al-Harthi, president of the Saudi Media Forum, disclosed that the forum, organized by the Saudi Journalists Association, will have speakers who reflect the interests of the media industry in the print, digital, visual, audiovisual, production and advertisement domains, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said.

He added that the media industry has become intertwined and requires a full understanding of its various sectors. Al-Harthi said those who will address the forum include: Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, secretary seneral of the Muslim World League (MWL); Dr. Majid Al-Qasabi, minister of commerce and investment; Turki Al Alsheikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority; Osama Naqli, Saudi Ambassador to Egypt; Dr. Abdullah Al-Ghathami; Salman Al-Dosary; Dr. Amal Al-Hazani; Jameel Altheyabi, editor-in-chief of Okaz newspaper; Nabil Bin Yacoub Al-Hamar, advisor to king of Bahrain for media affairs; Dr. Dhia Rashwan, head of Egyptian Syndicate for Press; and writers Emad Adeeb and Sawsan Al-Haroon. Al-Harthi affirmed that the forum attracts global figures, including Richard Bain (BBC); Benjamin Barthe (Le Monde, French newspaper); Richard Spencer (The Time, Britain); Sarah Stewart (AFP); Manabo Klbjau (The Asahi Shimbun, Japan), and Larissa Gunn (Sky News). Al-Harthi said the forum is an annual media event aiming to develop media industry in the region, adding that the Saudi Media Award will be announced and given away during the forum's activities. He said that the Kingdom is witnessing a media activity in line with positive developments in the economic, cultural, media and entertainment fields, pointing out that the forum will discuss issues pertaining to the media industry and will highlight international successful experiences. Al-Harthi asserted that the Saudi Media Forum will discuss the reality and influence of media industry, the challenges facing it, the contents in the new environment of communication, as well as the formation of public opinion across the world. He concluded that the two-day event will include meetings, sessions and workshops as well as signing of a number of agreements.