‘Saudi Media Forum 2025’ concludes in Riyadh

The forum is a great learning experience because we want the (global) media to witness how the Saudi society has transformed over the past few years and seeing is believing, says Attaullah Tarar

On the sidelines of the fourth Saudi Media Forum, Pakistan Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar told Arab News that much could be learned from Saudi Arabia’s media sector.“ Now we are leaning from the Saudi experience.”

On the topic of digital media, the minister said: “There is a lot that we can learn.

“I think the Saudi Media Forum is an excellent initiative, which started back in 2019,” he said. “Today all of the relevant stakeholders are under one roof,” the minister said.

“The forum is a great learning experience because we want the (global) media to witness how the Saudi society has transformed over the past few years and seeing is believing,” he said.

The Saudi Media Forum 2025, held under the patronage of Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary in Riyadh, concluded on Friday, stressed on to continue its role as a platform for enhancing communication within the media community.

The Themed “Media in an Evolving World,” the fourth annual forum brought together 200 speakers, including prominent media professionals, academics, experts, and specialists from both local and international arenas.

Ministers and other officials from government entities and academic institutions, as well as media decision-makers and investors also participated the forum.

Saudi Broadcasting Authority (SBA) Chief Executive Mohammed bin Fahd Al-Harthi emphasized that the forum builds on the significant success of its previous three editions, empowering talents in shaping the future of media and celebrating media institutions, journalists, and content creators.

Al-Harthi highlighted the forum’s role as a knowledge platform designed to enhance communication within media communities from the heart of Riyadh, aligning with the ongoing transformations in the sector. The event aims to keep pace with developments in the communication landscape of media and social networks, while facilitating opportunities for collaboration and trade exchange.

The forum hosted distinguished lineup of media professionals and influential figures in the media and political landscape. They enriched the sessions with in-depth discussions across various tracks tailored to meet the interests of media professionals and investors. The forum featured 80 sessions: 40 panel discussions and 40 knowledge exchange sessions, serving as an international platform for forecasting and developing the future of media and exploring the latest technologies. The forum spotlights the Kingdom’s media leadership in the region and globally.

On the first day of the forum, the Future of Media Exhibition (FOMEX), one of the most significant accompanying events, also started. The exhibition has attracted more than 250 local, international, and regional companies to showcase the latest technologies and solutions in media production and digital broadcasting.

FOMEX was part of the forum’s efforts to enhance Riyadh’s position as a global hub for media industry and a platform for thought leaders and decision-makers discuss the key challenges and opportunities facing the sector. These efforts align with Saudi Vision 2030, which emphasized innovation and the strengthening of the media economy.

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