RIYADH — Saudi media must prioritize the core journalistic values of accuracy, responsibility and objectivity over the race to publish first, particularly while reporting security-related issues, said Editor-in-Chief of Okaz and Supervisor General of Saudi Gazette Jameel Altheyabi.Addressing the Security and History Dialogue 2026 conference in Riyadh on Monday, Altheyabi said the rapid expansion of digital media and social platforms has increased the responsibility of journalists to verify information, counter misinformation and explain the significance of Saudi Arabia’s national transformation. He said Saudi journalism has played a central role for decades in shaping national awareness and documenting the Kingdom’s development, evolving from the era of individual publishers to established media institutions. The strength of journalism, he stressed, begins with obtaining information from reliable sources.“Truth is the foundation of journalism,” he said, stressing that confronting rumors and misinformation requires returning to reliable sources and avoiding information gaps that allow inaccurate reports to spread.Altheyabi pointed to Saudi Arabia’s role in major political, economic, sporting, cultural and tourism developments, including its G20 membership, international diplomatic engagement and hosting of the 2034 FIFA World Cup.He also cited the Kingdom’s achievement of its target of 100 million domestic and international tourists ahead of schedule and its subsequent ambition to reach 150 million by 2030.The journalist’s role, he said, is to explain what such indicators mean for the Kingdom’s future and how they affect society and development. Citizens and digital platformsAltheyabi said national awareness is not the responsibility of journalism alone, but also depends on citizens verifying information before sharing it.He noted that Saudi youth have become increasingly capable of recognizing rumors and misleading campaigns, while the Kingdom’s growing international influence makes accurate reporting and public trust even more important.He said the media landscape now extends far beyond newspapers to websites, digital platforms and social media, requiring Saudi media organizations to maintain a presence wherever their audiences are.Platforms such as X and Snapchat, he said, can reach millions of people, while official digital platforms provide citizens and residents with direct access to information and services.Closer integration between media organizations and official, security and technology institutions can strengthen public awareness and confidence in information, he added. AI does not replace the journalistAltheyabi said journalism must not become a process of simply copying and pasting information, arguing that its value lies in investigation, analysis, interpretation and the search for solutions.He said generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and Gemini can gather information and produce answers quickly, but their outputs may contain errors or mix up information.Journalists must therefore verify AI-generated material against original sources, he said.AI, he stressed, reinforces rather than eliminates the importance of professional journalists, whose responsibilities include verification, review and comparison of sources. New formats and sustainable journalismAltheyabi called on Saudi media organizations to modernize their tools and adapt journalism to changing audience behavior.An investigative report, he said, is no longer confined to a printed newspaper but can be repackaged as a news item on X, content for Snapchat or a video for YouTube.He also stressed the importance of investing in training, opening opportunities for university students and attracting talent capable of using modern tools while maintaining professional standards and credibility.Addressing the financial challenges facing journalism, Altheyabi said the industry’s revenue model has changed with the digital transition, moving beyond newspaper sales, subscriptions, distribution and traditional advertising.Revenue sources now include digital advertising, paid content and sponsorships, he said, adding that a gradual move toward paid subscriptions could support the sustainability of professional journalism.Such a model, however, requires media organizations to produce content of sufficient value that audiences are willing to pay for it.Preserving the national recordAltheyabi also emphasized the importance of preserving Saudi Arabia’s national memory and historical references through closer cooperation between media organizations and academic institutions.He said Saudi journalism is operating in an increasingly competitive digital environment that requires stronger sources, a broader presence and a deeper national mission.The media, he added, is part of the Kingdom’s transformation and has a responsibility to document its achievements and communicate them professionally and objectively to audiences at home and abroad.Altheyabi concluded by praising the audience’s engagement and interest in the conference’s discussions, saying dialogue and the exchange of knowledge and experience contribute to strengthening national awareness and the value of reliable information.RIYADH — Saudi media must prioritize the core journalistic values of accuracy, responsibility and objectivity over the race to publish first, particularly while reporting security-related issues, said Editor-in-Chief of Okaz and Supervisor General of Saudi Gazette Jameel Altheyabi.Addressing the Security and History Dialogue 2026 conference in Riyadh on Monday, Altheyabi said the rapid expansion of digital media and social platforms has increased the responsibility of journalists to verify information, counter misinformation and explain the significance of Saudi Arabia’s national transformation. He said Saudi journalism has played a central role for decades in shaping national awareness and documenting the Kingdom’s development, evolving from the era of individual publishers to established media institutions. The strength of journalism, he stressed, begins with obtaining information from reliable sources.“Truth is the foundation of journalism,” he said, stressing that confronting rumors and misinformation requires returning to reliable sources and avoiding information gaps that allow inaccurate reports to spread.Altheyabi pointed to Saudi Arabia’s role in major political, economic, sporting, cultural and tourism developments, including its G20 membership, international diplomatic engagement and hosting of the 2034 FIFA World Cup.He also cited the Kingdom’s achievement of its target of 100 million domestic and international tourists ahead of schedule and its subsequent ambition to reach 150 million by 2030.The journalist’s role, he said, is to explain what such indicators mean for the Kingdom’s future and how they affect society and development. Citizens and digital platformsAltheyabi said national awareness is not the responsibility of journalism alone, but also depends on citizens verifying information before sharing it.He noted that Saudi youth have become increasingly capable of recognizing rumors and misleading campaigns, while the Kingdom’s growing international influence makes accurate reporting and public trust even more important.He said the media landscape now extends far beyond newspapers to websites, digital platforms and social media, requiring Saudi media organizations to maintain a presence wherever their audiences are.Platforms such as X and Snapchat, he said, can reach millions of people, while official digital platforms provide citizens and residents with direct access to information and services.Closer integration between media organizations and official, security and technology institutions can strengthen public awareness and confidence in information, he added. AI does not replace the journalistAltheyabi said journalism must not become a process of simply copying and pasting information, arguing that its value lies in investigation, analysis, interpretation and the search for solutions.He said generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and Gemini can gather information and produce answers quickly, but their outputs may contain errors or mix up information.Journalists must therefore verify AI-generated material against original sources, he said.AI, he stressed, reinforces rather than eliminates the importance of professional journalists, whose responsibilities include verification, review and comparison of sources. New formats and sustainable journalismAltheyabi called on Saudi media organizations to modernize their tools and adapt journalism to changing audience behavior.An investigative report, he said, is no longer confined to a printed newspaper but can be repackaged as a news item on X, content for Snapchat or a video for YouTube.He also stressed the importance of investing in training, opening opportunities for university students and attracting talent capable of using modern tools while maintaining professional standards and credibility.Addressing the financial challenges facing journalism, Altheyabi said the industry’s revenue model has changed with the digital transition, moving beyond newspaper sales, subscriptions, distribution and traditional advertising.Revenue sources now include digital advertising, paid content and sponsorships, he said, adding that a gradual move toward paid subscriptions could support the sustainability of professional journalism.Such a model, however, requires media organizations to produce content of sufficient value that audiences are willing to pay for it.Preserving the national recordAltheyabi also emphasized the importance of preserving Saudi Arabia’s national memory and historical references through closer cooperation between media organizations and academic institutions.He said Saudi journalism is operating in an increasingly competitive digital environment that requires stronger sources, a broader presence and a deeper national mission.The media, he added, is part of the Kingdom’s transformation and has a responsibility to document its achievements and communicate them professionally and objectively to audiences at home and abroad.Altheyabi concluded by praising the audience’s engagement and interest in the conference’s discussions, saying dialogue and the exchange of knowledge and experience contribute to strengthening national awareness and the value of reliable information.
