01 July 2012
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has approved a Cabinet decision to establish the Audiovisual Media General Corporation.
Minister of Culture and Information Abdul Aziz Khoja said that this was part of the restructuring process of the Kingdom's media sector.
The king had earlier approved setting up two independent corporations for the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) and Saudi Radio and TV.
Khoja said the new independent corporation would be linked administratively to the Ministry of Culture and Information.
According to the minister, the corporation's objectives include organizing the activities of audiovisual media broadcasting as well as developing and monitoring their content in line with the Kingdom's media policy.
He said: "The corporation aims to strengthen the social, religious and cultural values in the Kingdom in addition to making available a wide variety of social, cultural and entertainment programs to the public.
"It would also work out a flexible and clear framework for a media broadcasting license by incorporating trends in the business and technological fields with an extra keenness to develop this sector."
Khoja said the new move would be one of the landmark achievements during the rule of King Abdullah in various fields, including audiovisual media that comprises radio, television, and all means of media and communications, both traditional and modern.
The minister noted this demonstrates King Abdullah's vision to develop the media sector, as well as to open this to private sector investment.
He added: "This would make available a balanced and professional media for both citizens and foreigners in a way keeping pace with the Kingdom's traditions and fundamentals. This would also help us not to rely on foreign media to a great extent."
He added attracting investments to this sector would also create job opportunities for Saudi youths.
Khoja also noted the creation of the corporation coincides with a study about drawing up an independent audiovisual law, which is currently being studied by legislative bodies and organizations. "Once approved, the law would be the basis for the functioning of the new corporation."
The Cabinet decided in late May to merge Saudi Radio and TV into a single corporation called Radio and TV Corporation and SPA into a general corporation.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has approved a Cabinet decision to establish the Audiovisual Media General Corporation.
Minister of Culture and Information Abdul Aziz Khoja said that this was part of the restructuring process of the Kingdom's media sector.
The king had earlier approved setting up two independent corporations for the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) and Saudi Radio and TV.
Khoja said the new independent corporation would be linked administratively to the Ministry of Culture and Information.
According to the minister, the corporation's objectives include organizing the activities of audiovisual media broadcasting as well as developing and monitoring their content in line with the Kingdom's media policy.
He said: "The corporation aims to strengthen the social, religious and cultural values in the Kingdom in addition to making available a wide variety of social, cultural and entertainment programs to the public.
"It would also work out a flexible and clear framework for a media broadcasting license by incorporating trends in the business and technological fields with an extra keenness to develop this sector."
Khoja said the new move would be one of the landmark achievements during the rule of King Abdullah in various fields, including audiovisual media that comprises radio, television, and all means of media and communications, both traditional and modern.
The minister noted this demonstrates King Abdullah's vision to develop the media sector, as well as to open this to private sector investment.
He added: "This would make available a balanced and professional media for both citizens and foreigners in a way keeping pace with the Kingdom's traditions and fundamentals. This would also help us not to rely on foreign media to a great extent."
He added attracting investments to this sector would also create job opportunities for Saudi youths.
Khoja also noted the creation of the corporation coincides with a study about drawing up an independent audiovisual law, which is currently being studied by legislative bodies and organizations. "Once approved, the law would be the basis for the functioning of the new corporation."
The Cabinet decided in late May to merge Saudi Radio and TV into a single corporation called Radio and TV Corporation and SPA into a general corporation.
© Arab News 2012
