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Saudi media must put accuracy and objectivity ahead of speed, Jameel Altheyabi says

From Saudi Gazette · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Jameel Altheyabi urged Saudi journalists to prioritize accuracy, responsibility and objectivity over speed, particularly in security-related coverage.
  • Speaking at the Security and History Dialogue 2026 conference in Riyadh, he said digital media had increased journalists’ duty to verify information and counter misinformation.
  • Altheyabi said reliable sourcing remains the foundation of strong journalism and that Saudi media has helped document the Kingdom’s development.

Saudi media should slow down when accuracy is at stake. Jameel Altheyabi, editor-in-chief of Okaz and supervisor general of Saudi Gazette, said journalists must put accuracy, responsibility and objectivity ahead of the race to publish first, particularly when reporting security-related issues.

Addressing the Security and History Dialogue 2026 conference in Riyadh on Monday, Altheyabi said the rapid expansion of digital media and social platforms had increased the responsibility placed on journalists. They must verify information, counter misinformation and explain the significance of Saudi Arabia’s national transformation, he said.

He also traced the development of Saudi journalism over several decades, saying it had played a central role in shaping national awareness and documenting the Kingdom’s progress. The sector had evolved from an era of individual publishers into established media institutions.

For Altheyabi, the strength of journalism begins with the information it obtains. “Responsibility before speed” was the principle he set out for coverage of security matters, where unverified reporting can carry particular weight.

Responsibility before speed

· Jameel AltheyabiThe phrase summarized his call for caution and verification in security-related reporting.
About this summary

Originally published by Saudi Gazette in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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