Media
From The Report: Saudi Arabia 2016
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Like many places in the world, Saudi Arabia’s media landscape is going through rapid change, primarily brought about by digital technology and the rise of social media – internet penetration rate is estimated at around 65% overall and 93% among Saudi nationals. While traditional media still has a strong footprint and is unlikely to be pushed aside any time soon, legacy media organisations are being forced to rapidly develop their digital offerings in order to maintain their market share. The regulatory environment for media in Saudi Arabia, which many consider among the strictest in the Middle East, also needs to adapt to the new digital reality. There are signs that change is happening, with a new minister of culture and information appointed in 2015 and the potential establishment of a media production city in the Kingdom, which could help to train a new generation of Saudi journalists.

This chapter contains an interview with Adel Al Toraifi, Minister of Culture and Information.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Shifting tide: Social media and digital content are transforming the sector
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Saudi Arabia’s media landscape is going through rapid change, primarily brought about by digital technology and the rise of social media. The internet penetration rate among Saudi nationals is estimated at around 93%, according to a 2016 joint study between Northwestern University in Qatar and the Doha Film Institute. At the same time, Saudi residents use social media for an average of five hours per day, according to an early 2016 study conducted by international internet market research firm…

Interview

The show must go on: OBG talks to Adel Al Toraifi, Minister of Culture and Information
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Interview:Adel Al Toraifi What kind of knock-on effects will growth of the media sector have on the economy? ADEL AL TORAIFI: We believe that the development of a sophisticated media sector will have a positive effect on a number of affiliated areas. One key area is the entertainment sector, which the government, as part of Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Programme (NTP), places great importance on. Currently, most of TV shows and movies which target the Saudi market are produced…

Analysis

In the spotlight: A media zone would provide an avenue to develop new talent
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For years there has been talk of establishing a media production city in Saudi Arabia, but recent comments by Adel Al Toraifi, the new minister of culture and information, appointed in early 2015, suggest these plans could be moving forward. The Kingdom’s new National Transformation Programme, released in June 2016, includes direct funding for the establishment of overseas media centres, as well as the allocation of SR624m ($166.4m) to set up a Saudi media city. “Saudi Arabia consumes a massive…