The acting governor said Saudi media institutions, starting from its very beginning, have been a source of pride and dignity. It has contributed to cultural and mindset development of Saudi Arabia during the past decades.

The local media, he said, has participated in guiding the society toward improving its knowledge and expanding its cultural and education input. He said the Saudi media did not stop at this point, but also committed itself to objectivity and adhered firmly to the Kingdom’s very principles.

GPU is the result of five years of intensive consultation between editors in chief and managing directors of Gulf newspapers. The union's headquarters are in Manama.

GPU President Turki bin Abdullah Al-Sudairi said the event was planned during the GPU conference in Qatar on March 3, 2009 in recognition of the pioneers who played a remarkable role in setting up the first foundations of the media in the Gulf. He said the event was being held to honor the founders and pioneers of Saudi media who began with very limited equipment and potential.

The list of of those who founded newspapers and magazines starting from 1905 to 1963 in Makkah and Madinah includes Abdu Bakr Omar Dhagistan, Ahmad Mohammad Al-Subaei, Ahmad Obied bin Mohammad, Amin Abdullah Madani, Hassan Abdulhay Qazzaz, Saleh Mohammad Jamal, Taher Abdurahman Zamakhshari, Abdul Aziz Mohammad Mu’minah, Abdul Fatah Mohammad Abu Medien, Abdul Qudoos Qasim Al-Ansari, Abdullah Mohammad Arief and Abdulwahab Ibrahim Ashi.