The Minister of Media affirmed that the media landscape, with its rapid developments and widespread proliferation of digital platforms, must be a field of responsibility and high professionalism, not an open arena for chaos or the promotion of false populism that harms society and distorts facts. This affirmation came in the context of discussing the importance of regulating the media landscape to keep pace with the qualitative leaps that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is witnessing on various levels.
The importance of adhering to professional standards in the digital age
This statement comes at a time when the world is witnessing a massive communications revolution, with the flow of information faster than ever before. In this openness, significant challenges arise concerning the credibility of content and its impact on public opinion. The media chaos that can result from a lack of self-regulation or the pursuit of "trends" at the expense of truth poses a threat to societal values and intellectual stability. Therefore, the emphasis on rejecting false populism reflects a genuine desire to build a mature media that contributes to development rather than hindering it.
Media as a key pillar in Vision 2030
This trend cannot be separated from the broader context of Saudi Vision 2030 , which prioritizes the media sector as a tool of soft power and a mirror reflecting the country's developmental, cultural, and economic progress. Transforming the Kingdom into a global logistics, trade, and tourism hub requires a strong and credible media arm capable of conveying the true image to the world and combating rumors that could negatively impact the investment climate or the country's public image.
The expected impact of regulating the media landscape
The call to regulate the media landscape and move away from randomness carries with it multiple positive effects:
- Locally: Strengthening trust between citizens and media institutions, raising public awareness, and protecting the social fabric from hate speech or misinformation.
- Regionally and internationally: To consolidate the Kingdom’s position as a leading country in the professional media industry, and to attract foreign investments in the media and entertainment sector, where investors are always looking for a clear and organized legislative environment.
In conclusion, the message is clear: media freedom is guaranteed, but it is a responsible freedom that stops at the limits of truth and national interest, and the future belongs to media that builds minds and respects the intelligence of the recipient, far from contrived noise and empty slogans.
