Okaz Organization for Press and Publication is organizing a symposium on the current strides in studies of various media tools in the Kingdom. The symposium on Jan. 14, under the patronage of Iyad Ameen Madani, Minister of Culture and Information, is titled “More progress in studies of Saudi media tool – present challenges and future aspirations.” The symposium is scheduled to be held at the Okaz organization's main office in Jeddah. The support of the Ministry of Culture and Information for the symposium stems from its concern for authentic and unbiased studies of Saudi media. Such studies are aimed at preserving the benefits of the media tools to attain more competitiveness based on scientific and professional analysis. Waleed J. Katan, Director General of Okaz Organization, said the symposium is part of the various activities on the organization's agenda scheduled in the new year. He said the organization shoulders its professional responsibility towards the improvement of the media and advertising industry in the Kingdom. The symposium, he said, reflects the organization's keenness to involve key players in the media and advertising sectors as well as major companies buying ad space in various media outlets. He pointed out that a group of media representatives would be selected to present working papers, reflecting the opinion of every sector. That will, he said, eventually help us come up with recommendations and proposals contributing to the development of studies of media tools in the Kingdom. Dr. Abdullah Banakhr, who has a doctorate degree in mass media from the US and is a staff member of the Mass Media Dept. at King Abdul Aziz University, has been selected as a moderator for the symposium. Dr. Banakhr has occupied senior posts in the Kingdom's private institutions including Tihama and Ara for Media Services. He is currently working as a freelance advisor to some public and private media institutions. __
