Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Saudi Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary asserted that Saudi media is the most powerful, influential, and widely spread in the Arab world, enjoying a higher level of freedom compared to some neighboring countries.

Speaking on the Al-Liwan program on Rotana Khalejia, Al-Dossary emphasized that Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman does not accept false praise or flattery.

“We work with him and listen to him, and we know this is his approach. However, there is a difference between highlighting our achievements — which is an essential role of the media — and false praise, which is unacceptable and undesirable,” he said.

Al-Dossary affirmed that the Saudi government does not demand the press to engage in praise, stating: “Praise is not required.”

He highlighted that Saudi media represents a model of disciplined freedom, rejecting claims that media freedoms in the Kingdom are limited.

“The ceiling of media freedom in Saudi Arabia is not as low as some claim. We have disciplined freedoms, and we do not accept the distortion of these freedoms,” he said.

Speaking with Saudi journalist Abdullah Al-Mudaifer, Al-Dossary stressed that the primary role of media is to expose flaws, as criticism is a fundamental duty of the press. He clarified that the Ministry of Media regulates the sector without controlling it.

He also noted that journalists in Saudi Arabia exercise self-censorship and understand national interests, allowing them to navigate sensitive topics independently. “We rely heavily on this sense of responsibility, not on daily oversight, which we do not impose,” he stated.

Regarding challenges facing Saudi media, Al-Dossary emphasized that keeping pace with technology is the real challenge.

“There is no old or new media — only national media that represents you, whether through television, websites, or social media. Our challenge is adapting to technological advancements,” he explained.

On the decline of print journalism, he said, “What worries me is not the death of print media, but the death of the journalist.”

He stressed the importance of preserving journalistic talent through media academies and partnerships with global companies such as Google and Amazon, as well as collaborations with ministries and agencies.

Discussing the economic impact of media, Al-Dossary outlined two key pillars: national media and media economics.

“Saudi media should contribute more to the economy. Currently, its share of GDP stands at just 0.4%, and we aim to increase to %1 by 2030,” he said.

Regarding employment opportunities, he highlighted that Saudi Arabia’s media sector had over 60,000 jobs in 2023 and aims to reach 150,000 jobs by 2030, a 100% increase.

Al-Dossary also addressed advertising revenue leakage, revealing that 90% of ad spending currently goes abroad instead of benefiting the Kingdom's media industry.

“Saudi Arabia has the largest media market and advertisers in the Arab region. Our goal is to retain all advertising revenue within the Kingdom, ensuring it contributes to our economy,” he added.