Saudi Media Forum closes fifth edition with 65,603 visitors and award winners announced
- Feb 5
- 2 min read
RIYADH, February 5, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Media Minister Salman Al-Dossary attended on Wednesday the closing ceremony of the fifth Saudi Media Forum, held under the theme “Media in an Evolving World,” alongside the Future of Media Exhibition (FOMEX), with officials and media professionals from inside and outside the Kingdom in attendance.
Saudi Media Forum President Mohammed Al-Harthi thanked supporters, partners and participants, and described recognition of contributors as a core value that supports the media sector.
The forum hosted around 300 speakers from multiple countries, with participation contributing to broader discussions and the forum’s positioning as an international media platform. Al-Harthi also highlighted ongoing work to move the forum toward a sustainable institutional framework through initiatives focused on media-sector development.
FOMEX recorded broad participation, with more than 250 companies showcasing content-creation technologies.
The forum announced a new global record of 65,603 visitors and received a Guinness World Records certificate.
Award winners announced at the ceremony included Khalid Al-Badr (news report), Abdulhadi Habtoor (journalistic interview), and Lama Al-Suhali (academic research). In visual and audio media tracks, an AI-generated content winner was announced, “Rachid Show” from Morocco won the social talk-shows track, and the Ministry of Culture won the podcast and radio talk-shows track for podcast “1949.”
The Tourism Development Fund won best media work for National Day, while the Ministry of Defense won best media work for Founding Day for the film “Al-Awja.” Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah received the global competitor award, Dr. Mohammed Al-Rumaihi won the column writing award, and the Saudi Vision 2030 account won best media work for Flag Day.
The Media Personality of the Year award was presented to Dr. Hussein Najjar. The ceremony concluded with commemorative photographs and recognition of partners and sponsors.
