Saudi Arabia is gearing up for hosting the Saudi Media Forum 2025, the largest specialized event in the media industry, from February 19-21, 2025 in Riyadh.
In its fourth edition, the Saudi Media Forum will bring together top decision-makers, experts and talents in the media industry from around the globe, establishing its status as the largest such gathering in the Middle East and a leading global media forum.
Aligning with Vision 2030
On this occasion, the Chairman of the Saudi Media Forum and CEO of the Saudi Broadcasting Authority, Mohamed bin Fahd Al-Harthy, noted that the Saudi Media Forum aligns with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The transformative plan aims to establish the Kingdom’s position as a pioneering regional and international media hub, support digital transformation in the media sector, and boost investment in local content, he said.
This, in turn, contributes to developing a robust and sustainable media sector, empowering national media talent, fostering innovation in content creation, and expand the global media companies’ network, in line with the objectives of Vision 2030 to support creative industries and promote economic growth in the media and entertainment sectors, Al-Harthy added.
Exploring Latest Trends
The Saudi Media Forum 2025 comes at a time of accelerating digital transformations in the media sector. This makes the forum a significant opportunity to explore the future of media industry, bolster strategic partnerships, and discuss the latest trends and challenges in the media sector, particularly amid the emergence of advanced technologies and their impact on the media landscape.
The forum will gather distinguished media personalities and decision-makers, including the Saudi Minister on Energy, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, in addition to representatives from leading media and tech institutions.
In the light of this, Al-Harthy said that the Saudi Media Forum 2025, held under the patronage of the Media Minister, Salman Al-Dossary, marks a quantum leap in content and international participation. He added that the forum aims to bolster media role in keeping pace with digital transformation, and provide a platform for experts and creative individuals to explore the future of the media industry.
Moreover, this year’s edition will feature specialized dialogue sessions, international partnerships, and an accompanying exhibition to showcase the latest media innovation, Al-Harthy said.
Saudi Media Forum Agenda
The Saudi Media Forum’s agenda is packed with dialogue sessions and panel discussions, in addition to the Future of Media Exhibition (FOMEX), and the Saudi Media Forum Awards. Under the theme “Media in an Evolving World,” the forum will focus on how media can leverage digital transformation to achieve sustainable growth.
Key sessions at the forum include “How AI and New Technologies are Shaping the News Industry,” “The Media Economy in the Digital Age,” “Media Disinformation and Credibility,” and “World Cup 2034 and Global Media.” Furthermore, the forum will feature a session on entertainment industry and digital broadcast, which will explore the new trends in the entertainment content and the future of digital platforms, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and Shahid.
Notable Guests
The Saudi Media Forum 2025 will see the participation of esteemed guests and distinguished speakers from the media, political and technological domains. These include the former UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson; the founder and CEO of Money Smart, Vinod Nair; the CEO of Fnatic, Sam Matthews; the Regional Director of Meta, Fares Akkad; and the President of INNOVATION Media Consulting Group, Juan Seo.
Furthermore, a large group of major media and tech corporations will take part in the forum, including Google, Microsoft, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Reuters, and Bloomberg. This wide participation in the Saudi Media Forum 2025 will offer a platform for connection and pave the way for forging partnerships in the media sector.
FOMEX 2025
The Future of Media Exhibition (FOMEX) will take place on the sidelines of the forum. Being the largest of its kind in the Middle East, FOMEX showcases the latest media technologies such as AI and AR, the innovative media experiences, and advanced technological solutions in the media industry.
FOMEX 2025 includes three main areas: Advanced Technologies Area, which highlights VR and AR applications; AI Area, which showcases the latest technological solutions in producing and disseminating news and media content; and Media Production Area, which displays live experiments of the latest technologies in photography, broadcasting, editing and digital editing.
