With the exception of the two bombings that targeted Americans in Riyadh and Alkhobar in 1995 and 1996, both of which were considered as attacks of military significance, the Kingdom has never been exposed to terrorist attacks. Until the recent bombings and other attacks, its security and safety had not been targeted.
The attacks covered a wider geographical zone extending from Hail in the north to Jizan in the south and from the Eastern Province to Jeddah in the west, with terrorists not sparing even the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.
One thing noticeable here is the improved performance of the media in covering these events. The media has been as effective as the security forces in handling the bombings, the clashes and the arrests that followed. Saudis no longer have to get information from international news agencies and radio stations about things happening in their own country.
We all remember, as an example of this, the attacks on the Grand Mosque in Makkah over two decades ago. My friends and I were students at that time and I remember we climbed to the top of a nearby mountain overlooking the mosque and watched the events take place before us. At the same time, we were searching for news reports from foreign radio stations on our small transistor radios.
Those days are thankfully over. Some of those who are supposed to enlighten us about events, however, continue to deal with information as if they were living in the era before satellite television and the Internet. In 2000 when a Saudi helicopter crashed, the first official statement was issued several hours later — well after the foreign media had reported the crash based on speculation and unconfirmed reports. It was only after the official statement had been issued that the foreign media was able to give the facts about what had happened.
In addition, following the bombing in Riyadh last year, some sought to manipulate the incident to discredit the Kingdom. The reason behind rumors, half-accurate news and naive explanations is that official statements are delayed and the media is not doing its job. The media fails either because it doesn’t know how to work or because of the difficulties and complications it continues to face.
Things have changed and the situation has improved considerably over the past few years and official statements now normally come out immediately after an incident takes place. Informing the public and the outside world by providing news from original sources will help silence those sections of the media eager to publish whatever news that falls into their hands regardless of whether it is true or not.
— Arab News Local Press 30 October 2003
