RIYADH: The third Saudi Media Forum, which takes place from Feb. 19-21 in Riyadh, will put the focus on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the perceived bias of the Western media.
A dedicated session called “Gaza in the Media: Between Misrepresentation and Bias” will analyze allegations of the Western media’s partiality toward Israel and the inaccuracies in its portrayal of the Gaza conflict.
The session will aim to uncover the dimensions of the Western media in its coverage of the Gaza war, with the participation of journalists, media professionals, and senior officials.
Former Kuwaiti Minister of Information Saad bin Tefla Al-Ajmi; Editor-in-Chief of Asharq Al-Awsat Ghassan Charbel; and Assistant Secretary-General and Supervisor of the Media and Communication Sector at the Arab League Ahmed Khattabi are some of the participants in the dialogue.
The session will explore several key aspects, including how the media handles events in Gaza amid Western misrepresentation and bias.
It will delve into the Arab media’s utilization of events in Gaza to reiterate the Palestinian cause to the international political and media stage.
It will also examine how the events in Gaza pose a genuine test for the media, showcasing examples of Arab journalists’ experiences with the Palestinian issue.
The forum, which is a collaboration between the Saudi Broadcasting Authority and the Saudi Journalists Association, expects more than 2,000 participants from around the globe.
It will also host the “Future of Media Exhibition,” the largest such exhibition in the Middle East, with over 200 local and international companies participating.
Sessions will cover various media domains, including sports, the economy, entertainment, and tourism, and their relationship with the applications of intelligence and media practices.
Global sports journalism will take center stage at the forum with Gianni Merlo, president of the International Sports Press Association, and Jose Felix Diaz, editor-in-chief of Marca newspaper, among participants at the sessions.
The parties will discuss the Kingdom’s experiences in “Saudi Sports: Grand Transformations from Local to Global.” They will explore the relationship between sports and media, the soft power it yields, and the role of sports media coverage in shaping national identity and international perceptions.
An awards ceremony to celebrate media innovation and creativity will conclude the forum.
Bringing together the region’s top media and entertainment professionals, the forum — which boasts over 30 sessions — aims to establish communication bridges with various specialized media institutions.
Its goal is to elevate the quality of media and entertainment production, keeping pace with ever-evolving technological advances.
Additionally, the forum seeks to enhance the Saudi media industry and strengthen the Kingdom’s position globally in the rapidly evolving media landscape.
Gaza tragedy, Western media bias top agenda at Saudi Media Forum next week
https://arab.news/wg3eu
Gaza tragedy, Western media bias top agenda at Saudi Media Forum next week
- ‘Gaza in the Media: Between Misrepresentation and Bias’ will analyze allegations of the Western media’s partiality toward Israel
- The forum expects more than 2,000 participants from around the globe
Saudi crown prince, French president discuss bilateral relations, regional developments
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a call from French President Emmanuel Macron, the Saudi Press Agency said.
The pair also reviewed bilateral relations and cooperation, as well as the latest regional and international developments.
Madinah deputy governor receives Indian minister
Madinah Region Deputy Gov. Prince Saud bin Khalid bin Faisal recently met Indian Union Minister for Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju during his official visit to the Kingdom.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed arrangements for Indian Hajj pilgrims during their stay in Madinah, India’s Ministry of Minority Affairs said in an official statement.
Rijiju also visited the Hajj Terminals at the Jeddah and Madinah airports, and reviewed the facilities available for the arrival and departure of pilgrims as well as baggage handling.
International conference celebrates the camel as a pillar of Arab culture
- Scholars highlight the camel’s role in Arab history and the Arabic language
- Experts from Saudi Arabia and abroad gather in Riyadh
RIYADH: Scholars at a Riyadh conference this week underscored the fundamental role the camel has played in shaping Arab heritage, emphasizing the profound link between camels and the Arabic language.
King Saud University, in partnership with the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, is hosting the Fifth International Conference, titled “Camels in Arab Culture,” which ends on Thursday.
Prominent scholars and specialists from Saudi Arabia and abroad are participating in the conference, which is exploring key topics related to camels, including heritage, history and geography, and archaeological findings.
Hajed Al-Harbi, conference chairman, said: “Honoring camels is a tribute to our deep-rooted values and rich heritage, reflecting our pride in our origins and historical legacy.”
Ibrahim Al-Furaih, conference secretary, told Arab News how the conference underscores the central role camels have played in shaping Arabic literature and intellectual thought throughout history.
“Camels are a fundamental element of our national identity and Arab culture, with a significant presence in our heritage.
“Whether through literature, poetry, inscriptions, or the daily life of early Arabs, they have left an indelible mark. Their influence endures, continuing to shape the lives of Arabs to this day,” Al-Furaih said.
Bedoor Al-Fassam, chair of the public relations committee for the conference, said organizers spent months preparing for the event.
Dr. Al-Fassam, who is also an assistant professor of literature and criticism in the Arabic language department at the university, confirmed that conference participation requests exceeded 300, from which 40 research papers were selected. The submitted papers covered a wide range of fields, including literary, linguistic, historical, and social studies, in addition to anthropology research.
Alongside participants from Saudi universities, the conference features academics from Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco and Canada.
The attendees discussed the definition of camels in language and lexicography, as well as their effect on cultural and national identity.
Additionally, they explored the role of camels in Arabic poetry, narrative storytelling and biographies, highlighting their significance in other literatures and cultures.
The conference further delved into the role of camels in the national economy, addressing sectors such as investment, tourism, and entertainment, in addition to camel festivals, sports and racing events.
Saudi ministry records 7,521 tourism violations
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism revealed the results of its third-quarter 2024 inspections, involving 9,655 checks on hospitality facilities and tourism activities across the Kingdom.
During the period, 7,521 violations were identified and 11,494 complaints were addressed, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Common violations included operating without a license, poor cleanliness, failure to meet licensing conditions and non-compliance by facility representatives.
Makkah had the highest number of inspections with more than 3,600, followed by Riyadh with more than 1,350, Madinah with over 1,100 and the Eastern Province with more than 1,070. The remaining regions accounted for more than 2,500 inspections.
These efforts aim to enhance the tourism sector’s sustainability, ensure compliance with regulations, improve service quality and boost visitor experiences.
Saudi Arabia welcomes ceasefire agreement in Gaza
- Kingdom stresses need for adherence to the deal, end to aggression against Gaza, and withdrawal of all Israeli forces from the occupied territories
RIYADH: Saudi authorities welcomed the announcement of a Gaza ceasefire agreement on Wednesday and expressed the Kingdom’s appreciation for the efforts of mediators from Qatar, Egypt and the US.
The Kingdom stressed the need for adherence to the deal, an end to Israel’s aggression against Gaza, and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory and all other occupied Palestinian and Arab lands.
It also highlighted the importance of building on the agreement by addressing the underlying reasons for the conflict and enabling the Palestinian people to secure their rights, the foremost of which is the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Saudi Arabia expressed hope that the ceasefire deal would mark a permanent end to a brutal Israeli war that claimed the lives of more than 45,000 Palestinians and wounded more than 100,000.
