Salman Al-Dosari spoke at the inaugural day of the Saudi Media Forum New vision will boost sector efficiency, investment appeal and workforce abilities In 2023 the media sector contributed $3.9 billion to Kingdom’s economy, created 56,000 jobs LONDON: Saudi Media Minister Salman Al-Dosari has presented the Kingdom’s new media strategy, marking 2024 as the “Year of Media Transformation.” Addressing the inaugural session of the Saudi Media Forum in Riyadh on Tuesday, Al-Dosari outlined the vision for the forthcoming year, celebrating the sector’s profound impact on the nation’s economy. He underscored that in 2023 alone, the media industry contributed a substantial SR14.5 billion ($3.9 billion) to the Kingdom’s gross domestic product, and facilitated the creation of 56,000 job opportunities. Looking ahead, Al-Dosari emphasized the government’s commitment to further growth and development, aiming to elevate the sector’s contribution to $4.3 billion in 2024. This aspiration aligns with plans to expand the workforce to 67,000 jobs, recognizing the pivotal role of media in economic and societal progress. Al-Dosari elaborated on the strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing the sector’s efficiency, boosting investment appeal, and strengthening national workforce capabilities, paving the way for the future of media. These initiatives include a comprehensive media sector strategy, a Saudi Broadcasting Authority strategy to foster growth and competitiveness, and efforts to develop media talent to produce content that enhances Saudi Arabia’s global image. In addition, Al-Dosari announced the launch of the Hajj MediaHub initiative, facilitating media coverage of the Hajj season through a dynamic media community and interactive media exhibition, benefiting over 2,000 international media professionals and visitors. The third edition of the Saudi Media Forum, themed “Media in a World Taking Shape,” commenced on Tuesday, hosted by the Saudi Broadcasting Corporation and the Saudi Journalists Association. With the participation of 2,000 media professionals, academics, experts, and specialists from both local and international arenas, the two-day event serves as a platform for robust discourse and collaboration within the industry, engaging with 80 media outlets.