Saudi Media Forum Holds Workshop “From Idea to Impact” in Preparation for 2026 Edition

The Saudi Media Forum held a workshop titled “From Idea to Impact” today at the headquarters of the Saudi Broadcasting Authority in Riyadh, as part of its preparations for the next edition of the forum, set to launch in 2026. The workshop was attended by the Chairman of the Saudi Media Forum and CEO of the Saudi Broadcasting Authority, Mohammed Al-Harthi, alongside a distinguished group of leaders and experts from across various media sectors. Participants explored major transformations in the global media landscape, discussed opportunities for national excellence, and reviewed mechanisms for developing innovative initiatives that enhance the competitiveness of the sector and align with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. In his address, Al-Harthi highlighted the forum’s growing international dimension, reflected in the notable presence of prominent figures from Western media. He noted that the previous edition served as a comprehensive dialogue platform with a significant number of international speakers, enabling meaningful exchange of insights and experiences. He emphasized that the forum is a comprehensive project with initiatives that extend throughout the year, grounded in a firm belief that media without impact or influence is not effective media. Al-Harthi further stated that the forum serves as a tool of Saudi Arabia’s soft power, promoting a rational and balanced discourse that engages the world with logic and reason, inspired by the remarkable national narrative of Vision 2030—a story that must be conveyed with professionalism and responsibility. He noted that the Kingdom possesses a wide range of media capabilities that can empower any media platform to convey this narrative globally. One of the forum’s key responsibilities, he added, is to equip the new generation of Saudi media professionals with exposure to international experiences and help build a national media workforce aligned with industry developments. He unveiled an ambitious plan to expand the number of participants in FOMEX, the forum’s media exhibition, and to boost the media sector’s contribution to GDP by increasing the number of participating companies—further enhancing the Kingdom’s position as the regional hub for influential media and paving the way to becoming a future capital of media production. Al-Harthi also praised the strong support from Minister of Media, Salman bin Yousef Al-Dosari, and revealed that the forum has begun establishing a media club to connect international media professionals with the forum through an institutional framework, strengthening its international presence and media engagement. The workshop addressed several key topics, including identifying media initiatives needed by the community, devising sustainable solutions to achieve national goals, and exploring how to transform these initiatives into institutional programs supported by resources and partnerships to ensure their effectiveness. This workshop is part of a broader series of preparatory activities by the forum aimed at reinforcing its local and international presence, expanding cooperation in training, digital transformation, and talent development—cementing its role as a national driver in advancing Saudi Arabia’s media landscape.