Jameel Altheyabi, editor-in-chief of Okaz and supervisor general of Saudi Gazette, told the Security and History Dialogue 2026 conference in Riyadh on Monday that Saudi media must place accuracy, responsibility, and objectivity above the urge to publish first, particularly when covering security-related topics. He argued that the explosive growth of digital media and social platforms has made it more essential than ever for journalists to verify facts, counter false narratives, and clarify the meaning of Saudi Arabia's national transformation.
Altheyabi noted that Saudi journalism has shaped national consciousness and chronicled the Kingdom's progress for decades, having evolved from individual publishers into established media institutions. He stressed that strong journalism starts with reliable sources, asserting that "truth is the foundation of journalism" and that combating rumors requires going back to those sources and closing information gaps that let inaccurate reports thrive.
He highlighted Saudi Arabia's prominent role in political, economic, sporting, cultural, and tourism arenas, citing its G20 membership, active diplomacy, and hosting of the 2034 FIFA World Cup. He also pointed to the Kingdom's early achievement of 100 million tourists and its new goal of 150 million by 2030, saying journalists must explain what such milestones mean for the country's future and their impact on society and development.
Altheyabi emphasized that national awareness is a shared duty, not journalism's alone, and that citizens must verify information before sharing it. He observed that Saudi youth have grown adept at spotting rumors and misleading campaigns, while the Kingdom's rising global influence makes accurate reporting and public trust even more critical. With media now spanning websites, digital platforms, and social networks like X and Snapchat, he called on Saudi outlets to be present wherever audiences are, and urged closer cooperation between media, official, security, and technology institutions to bolster public confidence.
On artificial intelligence, Altheyabi warned that journalism must not become mere copy-pasting, as its real value lies in investigation, analysis, and interpretation. While tools like ChatGPT and Gemini can quickly gather information, their outputs may contain errors, so journalists must verify AI-generated content against original sources. AI, he said, reinforces rather than diminishes the journalist's role, which includes verification, review, and source comparison.
He also urged Saudi media to modernize their tools and adapt to changing audience habits, noting that an investigative report can now be repackaged as a post on X, a Snapchat story, or a YouTube video. He called for investment in training, opportunities for university students, and attracting talent skilled in modern tools while upholding professional standards. Addressing financial sustainability, Altheyabi said revenue models have shifted from newspaper sales and traditional ads to digital advertising, paid content, and sponsorships, and that a gradual move toward paid subscriptions could support quality journalism—provided outlets produce content valuable enough for audiences to pay for.
Finally, he stressed the importance of preserving Saudi Arabia's national memory and historical references through closer ties between media and academic institutions. Saudi journalism, he concluded, is part of the Kingdom's transformation and must document its achievements professionally and objectively for domestic and international audiences.