Media has a great responsibility in tackling local, regional and international economic developments, and this requires credibility and honesty, Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Khoja, Minister of Culture and Information, has said. The media, the minister said, should take into account the interests of the business sector as well as interests of citizens and consumers and the the higher interests of the country in tackling the many issues being faced by the Kingdom. Inaugurating a forum on “economic information” here Sunday, Dr. Khoja said the role of the media as regards the economic activity is critical and influential and requires Saudi capabilities focusing on specialized knowledge in the economic sphere and the press works. The forum is organized by Riyadh's Chamber of Commerce and Industry under the theme “media and economy – integrating relations.” Dr. Khoja underlined the role of the media as regards attaining balance in tackling the problems of the sector of economy and business as well as the aspirations of the citizens in their capacity as consumers of commodities and services. The information media, either government or private should adhere to credibility and comprehensiveness in shedding light on the efforts of the state in the service of the citizens, he said. The media sector is an economic and independent sector, and it is also strategic and productive which is linked with awareness and identity, Dr. Khoja said. The forum, he said, provides an evidence for the growing awareness of the importance of the media and its impact and contribution to the economic movement as well as projecting a proper idea about the economic development attained in the country. “Our country, which has been bestowed by a wise leadership, is full of various human and natural resources and has made big strides in the domains of development,” he elaborated. He noted that the accession of the Kingdom to the World Trade Organization (WTO) has put up a great challenge before the Saudi media organs because the Saudi markets constitute the biggest in the developing world. Dr. Khoja drew attention to the severe economic crisis facing the world, and said in such circumstances the media plays a crucial role as regards formulating the trends of the governments and nations by providing figures, information, photographs and analysis on the economic and trade activities as well as the impact of this crisis on the societies and nations. “Thanks to Allah Almighty, and thanks to our wise leadership, our country has been standing away from this crisis which is affecting the world,” he added. Dr. Khoja underscored the importance of training the youth by private media establishments. He said his ministry two years ago organized a workshop on training in the field of media at the Saudi universities with the participation of several leaders and experts in the field of media. “Our country with its tremendous resources is in need of an increasing number of professionals who are capable of performing their media mission,” he said. Meanwhile, Abdulrahman Al-Jeraisi, Chairman of Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, underscored the important role which could be played by the media in all spheres of life.
