National Awareness Is Not Built by Journalism Alone, and Reliable Information Is the First Line of Defense

Saudi journalism did not build national awareness alone, but reliable information remains its first line of defense, Okaz Editor-in-Chief Jamil Al-Dhiabi said at a conference in Riyadh.

Al-Dhiabi, who also serves as general supervisor of the Saudi Gazette, said Saudi newspapers have played a pivotal role for decades in shaping national awareness and keeping pace with the country’s development and transformations. He described journalism as an essential partner in society.

He said the media’s responsibility has increased as the digital sphere expands, information circulates faster and social media platforms spread more widely. A deeper reading of Saudi Arabia’s security and development history, he added, shows how the country’s press contributed to social awareness and highlighted national achievements, from the era of individual efforts to the age of institutions.

Al-Dhiabi made the remarks during the “Security and History Dialogue” conference in Riyadh. He stressed that the strength of journalism’s influence starts with drawing information from trusted sources. His comments also emphasized that handling security information requires a high degree of responsibility, rather than a simple race to publish first.