RIYADH, 29 February 2004 — A major journalism conference here this May will focus on the highly topical question of Saudi Arabia’s international image after terror attacks in the Kingdom and abroad and growing worldwide criticism of the slow pace of political reform in the country.
Slated for May 16-19 and organized by the Saudi Association for Media and Communication (SAMC), the conference — entitled “The Image of Saudi Arabia in the World” — will feature presentations from journalists and academics from the four corners of the globe.
“The recent international events have made it all the more important to study the conceptual image held by countries around the world about the Kingdom,” Dr. Ali Al-Garni, president of SAMC, told Arab News.
He said given growing “disinformation campaigns” against Saudi Arabia in the West, “it is the duty of the association to project the true image of Saudi Arabia throughout the world.”
SAMC, founded two years ago, has a membership of 600 from the Kingdom, Arab countries, the United States and Europe. It also conducts training programs for journalists in the Kingdom.
Some 200 foreign journalists from the US, Europe, Russia, China, Australia, India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan are expected to participate in the four-day program, in addition to local journalists.
“Twenty journalists from the US and a good number from Europe have already agreed to participate,” the official said.
