Under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, may God protect him, the Saudi capital, Riyadh, is preparing to host a prominent media event. The fifth edition of the Saudi Media Forum on Monday, February 2, 2026, and will continue until February 4. This year's forum, themed "Media in a Changing World," will bring together more than 300 of the world's leading thought leaders, media professionals, experts, and academics.
Historical background and development of the forum
The Saudi Media Forum didn't emerge from a vacuum; it's the culmination of a rich history that began with its first edition in 2019, quickly becoming one of the most important media platforms in the region. The forum was established to keep pace with the rapid transformations in the media industry and to provide a space for dialogue, exchanging experiences, and anticipating future trends. With each edition, the forum broadened its discussions and objectives, shifting its focus from local affairs to addressing regional and international issues, thus solidifying the Kingdom's position as a pivotal player in the global media landscape.
Strategic importance in light of Vision 2030
His Excellency the Minister of Media, Mr. Salman bin Yousef Al-Dossari, explained that holding the forum in February 2026 holds special symbolic significance, as it coincides with the tenth anniversary of the launch of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. He emphasized that this ambitious vision has brought about a qualitative leap in Saudi media, transforming it from a mere conduit of news to an influence-maker and a key partner in the development process. He added that the royal patronage of the forum embodies the wise leadership's belief in the pivotal role of media as a soft power that reflects to the world the major transformations taking place in the Kingdom.
Topics of discussion and challenges of the digital age
For his part, Professor Mohammed bin Fahd Al-Harthi, Chairman of the Saudi Media Forum, affirmed that the fifth edition comes in response to the demands of the current era. With the dominance of artificial intelligence and changing content consumption patterns, it has become essential for media institutions to redefine their roles. Therefore, the forum's agenda, which includes more than 150 dialogue sessions, will focus on key themes including:
- Artificial Intelligence: Exploring the opportunities and challenges that artificial intelligence poses to the production and distribution of media content.
- Restoring Trust: Discussing ways to build credibility and combat misinformation in a media environment saturated with fake news.
- New business models: Searching for innovative solutions to achieve financial sustainability for media organizations in the digital age.
“Boulevard 2030”: A window into the nation’s achievements
Al-Harthi revealed a significant addition to this edition: the launch of the “Boulevard 2030” zone for the first time. This zone will be located within the Future of Media Exhibition (FOMEX), which accompanies the forum. It will serve as a vibrant showcase of inspiring success stories from major Saudi projects such as NEOM, Diriyah Gate, and Qiddiya. This initiative aims to connect media professionals and visitors directly with the Kingdom’s flourishing development, transforming achievements from mere statistics and reports into tangible, impactful experiences.
Thus, the Saudi Media Forum 2026 to being a platform for dialogue, but goes beyond that to be a global workshop aimed at unpacking complex challenges, turning them into sustainable opportunities, and outlining the future of the media industry in a constantly changing world.
