I am not in favor of foreign satellite channels debating our local problems with Saudis or having citizens from other countries debating purely Saudi issues that should be discussed on our local TV stations. Do we really like to see our social issues and other national problems exposed to all? This question arises whenever an issue of local interest — such as unemployment, public debt, marriage or poverty — is discussed on foreign satellite stations.

These are purely Saudi problems that only concern our country and its people. They are of no concern to other viewers whose main concern, unfortunately, is to rejoice at others’ misfortunes. It is this kind of reaction that we get when we insist on exposing our domestic problems by discussing them on foreign stations.

It is sad that by joining in these discussions, Saudi intellectuals are actually helping those stations find something to talk about that will attract viewers. It is right and proper that we debate our problems on our own television stations, and do so by using standards of frankness, openness and transparency. Raising the same matters on foreign stations amounts to internationalizing our domestic problems, while they should be discussed within the house. Do we expect the viewers of those foreign stations to solve our problems?

I feel happy whenever I see our intellectuals taking part in television debates broadcast by non-Saudi satellite channels and discussing the Saudi position on topics of Arab, Muslim or international interest. But even here, the participants should be chosen from among those who are capable of presenting strong and convincing views and who have in-depth knowledge and information on the topic. They should also be capable of replying pointedly to any questions or comments with ulterior motives. Otherwise, their participation might backfire and harm, instead of serving, our position.

Unfortunately, this has happened on several occasions in the past in which the inability of some speakers to present the case convincingly may have helped support the false ideas held by some about the Kingdom and may also have increased the strength of various false accusations directed against our country.

Our intellectuals should be actively involved in discussing Arab and international issues such as the obstacles facing peace, weapons of mass destruction, the status of Arab culture and other general topics. These are topics of Arab and universal interest and concern the majority of viewers all over the world.

I have several times personally refused to participate in some of these discussions and I think many did the same. We did not take part in talk shows discussing our domestic problems on foreign satellite channels because we believe that these are issues of domestic concern and should be discussed on Saudi television.