Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The first regular meeting of the new Board of Directors of the Saudi Journalists Association (SJA) decided to exert maximum efforts to upgrade Saudi Arabia’s ranking in the Press Freedom Index at the global level. The meeting discussed the proposal to give membership to journalism students and to set up a fund to support journalists associated with SJA.

SJA President Adhwan Al-Ahmari said that the meeting discussed expansion of the association by giving membership to students who are pursuing studies for journalism and communications courses. He said that the association has completed studies with regard to establishing a press club in Riyadh. The meeting also discussed about setting up a fund to give financial support to journalists associated with it. The meeting analyzed various aspects of activating the Journalist Support Fund and bringing financial resources to it.

Al-Ahmari said the board meeting approved the launch of the association’s programs and activities through committees such as the executive committee, committee for mobilizing the association’s financial resources, as well as establishing a training committee, apart from the mechanism for the proper governance of the association.

The board reviewed numerous proposals submitted by its members, and agreed to ensure their implementation after being examined by the sub committees approved by the board. The board adopted a 100-day action plan that actually started implementing from Thursday, Feb. 22.

The board will hold its next meeting to review the approved strategic plan for the first 100 days, as well as to ensure its implementation, and continue discussing the remainder of the annual strategic plan.

Al-Ahmari also noted that the meeting discussed the mechanism for communicating with unions and media organizations in other countries and activating partnerships with them.