Saudi Media Forum 2026
Media leaders convene annually to discuss challenges and opportunities within a rapidly evolving landscape. The 2026 edition, held under the theme “Media in a Shaping World,” featured expanded panel discussions, specialized workshops, and an innovation zone. The forum reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to openness, dialogue, and global engagement, while the FOMEX exhibition showcased the latest solutions in broadcasting, production, and distribution.
I was honored to participate in and attend the Saudi Media Forum, a prominent event that brings together leading thinkers and decision-makers in the media sector. It provided a valuable opportunity to explore the latest trends and innovations shaping the future of media through the sessions hosted at the Leaders’ Stage.
Among the most notable sessions were “The Official Voice in the Digital Age: Strategies of Influence,” which offered in-depth insights into shaping and directing official narratives within a transforming media environment, and “Emerging Technologies and Media Messaging: The Beginning of the Harmony Challenge,” which highlighted the opportunities and challenges advanced technologies pose to the effectiveness and coherence of media communication.
My visit to the Future of Media Exhibition (FOMEX) was equally inspiring, where I explored cutting-edge technologies and creative solutions defining the next phase of the media industry. Such forums undoubtedly strengthen academic understanding and enrich professional perspectives on the opportunities and challenges facing the media sector, while emphasizing the importance of scientific research and continuous development in this vital field.
I was also pleased to visit several academic and media pavilions, including the pavilion of King Faisal University, where I learned about its media company Fawasel Media a leading firm in audiovisual media and the first media company owned by a Saudi university. The company operates as an affiliate of Wadi Al-Ahsa Investment Company, which is owned by the Investment Fund of King Faisal University. It provides a wide range of media and advertising services and consultancy, utilizing the latest professional technologies, equipment, and production tools, and produces content aligned with the demands of the evolving digital era.
I also had the privilege of visiting the pavilion of the Arab States Broadcasting Union, where I explored the Union’s key initiatives in media training, digital transformation, and the integration of modern technologies in broadcasting and production. The Union also plays a significant role in supporting Arabic content and strengthening the presence of Arab media institutions on both regional and international stages. It remains one of the leading Arab media organizations coordinating joint radio and television efforts among Arab countries.
The visit further included pavilions of several prominent media channels and institutions, including Thmanyah and MBC Group, among others. This provided an opportunity to observe diverse models of media production, digital transformation strategies, and the integration of content with advanced technologies.