RIYADH — Saudi Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary announced the launch of 12 new media initiatives, most notably the Media Innovation Camp and the Virtual Broadcaster Program, aimed at nurturing entrepreneurial ideas and transforming media concepts into sustainable business models.The announcement was made during the inauguration of the fifth edition of the Saudi Media Forum 2026 in Riyadh on Monday. The three-day forum, which is held under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, brings together more than 300 media leaders, experts, and decision-makers from over 20 countries across four continents. The global gathering is convened under the theme “Media in a Shaping World.”In his opening address, Al-Dossary unveiled a document outlining the principles of artificial intelligence in media, developed in partnership with the Saudi Data & Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), reinforcing the commitment to the responsible use of advanced technologies. He further announced the production of more than 30 documentaries and films this year under the “Treasures” initiative, highlighting the Kingdom’s rich heritage and future aspirations. The minister emphasized that safeguarding future generations begins with building forward-looking media ecosystems. He noted that the royal patronage of the forum adds a broader dimension and deeper vision, underscoring media’s role as a tool for awareness and a driver of development. He explained that Saudi Vision 2030 has played a pivotal role in reshaping Saudi media into an integrated system grounded in values that guide decisions and shape media policies. Al-Dossary revealed that more than 100 seats have been allocated this year under the “Media Scholarship” program to train Saudi talent at leading international universities. He also announced the launch of the “Saudipedia” translation track in five international languages—English, French, Chinese, Russian, and German—to share the Kingdom’s heritage, history, and identity with global audiences. He further disclosed that more than 2,000 content creators and influencers from 90 countries will be hosted at the second edition of the “Impact Makers” forum in Qiddiya. Additionally, he announced the release of the second edition of the “State of Media in the Kingdom” report, alongside new investment opportunities in the sector. He noted that more than 250 local and international companies are participating in the creative edition of the Future of Media Exhibition, “Fomax.” Al-Dossary also highlighted that the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) has launched the Media Studies and Opinion Polls Center, and that the Saudi Media Award received more than 500 submissions from 20 countries—marking a 200 percent increase in international participation.This year’s forum features over 300 media professionals, experts, academics, and specialists from within the Kingdom and abroad, engaging in more than 150 dialogue sessions addressing key challenges and opportunities. These discussions aimed to advance the media industry at the local, regional, and international levels.The forum holds particular significance this year as it coincides with the 10th anniversary of the launch of Saudi Vision 2030, which has driven a qualitative transformation in Saudi media, positioning it as an influential force and a reflection of the Kingdom’s growing maturity on the global stage. The forum serves as a platform to highlight these achievements and explore future horizons for the media sector.