Saudi Gazette report
RIYADH — The next edition of the Saudi Media Forum will take place in Riyadh from Feb. 2 to 4, 2026, under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, with participation from more than 250 local, regional, and international media and tech companies.
Held at a time of major global shifts in the media landscape, the forum will bring together top decision-makers, innovators, and industry leaders to discuss the future of media, digital transformation, and content creation.
Minister of Media Salman Al-Dosari said the forum, launched in Riyadh, has grown into an influential international platform that helps shape the future of media in the region and beyond.
“It serves as a space for Saudi narratives to be presented to the world with professionalism and clarity, while also supporting the Kingdom’s ambition to build a competitive, innovative media sector.”
The forum’s theme, “Media in a Shifting World,” reflects the convergence of emerging technologies and content production, Al-Dosari said, noting that new strategies are needed to adapt to these changes and sustain the media’s relevance and impact.
The minister thanked King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their continued support of the media sector, adding that their patronage provides powerful motivation to raise industry standards and broaden media influence.
Mohammed Al-Harthi, CEO of the Saudi Broadcasting Authority and president of the forum, said the 2026 edition will spotlight the potential of generative artificial intelligence and extended reality in media production.
The three-day forum will include more than 100 panel discussions and specialized workshops, alongside an innovation zone showcasing the latest technologies in broadcasting, content production, and distribution.
A number of international agreements will be signed to support Saudi talent and foster global collaboration.
Now in its fifth edition, the Saudi Media Forum continues to serve as a global hub for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and professional development, advancing the Kingdom’s ambition to build a world-class media industry.
