After a long wait, the new Saudi news channel began transmission. Sayidaty met a number of Saudi women reporters working for the new channel. First, it was the turn of Buthiana Nasr, the first woman to appear on the new channel. "I am very proud to have been the first woman to represent my country. Women should play important media roles on the Saudi, the Arab and the international level."
Many people have debated whether Saudi women should appear on a news channel.
The absence of women on TV has its origin in inherited cultural practices that have nothing to do with our religion or common sense. Saudi women are here to represent themselves and to make her voice and demands heard by everybody.
Q: On some programs where your guest is a Saudi woman, how do you deal with the problem of finding someone who does not mind appearing on TV?
A: During my work on Arab Radio Television (ART), I hosted a program which featured many women who did not want to appear on TV. I overcame the problem by telling them that it was very important to appear and to reach out with her voice to deliver her message. This is the quickest way to upset the conspiracy against Saudi women.
Q: Does the news channel give you limits and specific guidelines to follow when you are on TV?
A: In the media, we are aware that limits are different, depending on people, channels, programs and the target audience. I think the person watching is the one who controls what he or she wants to watch.
Q: People say that you always appear hesitant or frightened. What do you say in answer to them?
A: I am not hesitant but I am afraid, because fear and desire drive me to give my best to the audience. I say to those who accuse me of being an actor that I am not one and I cannot be.
MIRIAM AL-GHAMDI
Q: What was the reaction when women appeared on the Saudi satellite channel?
A: It was a good and encouraging. We received great support. We are very proud of working in this channel and proud of the society that encouraged us the moment we appeared on TV.
Q: Will we see women reading the sports and weather?
A: I think that men are better in sports because they usually know more about the subject than women. As for the weather, I cannot judge but I do not support it.
Q: You trained some women news reporters. How do you evaluate their performance?
A: I am very proud of them because they have proven themselves. During their training, I was impressed by their political knowledge and general awareness.
Q: Do you want to produce your own program?
A: I will produce a weekly program every Friday. It will cover events for Saudi and Arab women and whatever has been written about them that week in the media.
HANA AL-RAKBI
Q: After eight years of working on family and children's programs, how would you describe the experience of reading the news? Do you think that news reporters need something special to qualify for the job?
A: A successful reporter should be able to present all kinds of programs. Thank God, I succeeded in presenting family and children's shows. To present the news was very challenging. I am happy about this new experience and who knows? Maybe I will specialize in news reporting. I am honored to work for an organization that gave women the chance to prove themselves.
Q: Do you think news reporters received enough training to qualify them to read the news?
A: They received an intensive three-course training program in Dubai and Riyadh. They received courses in Arabic grammar, the ability to control a dialogue and political analysis and also how to handle correspondents.
REEMA AL-SHAMEKH
Q: Is the appearance of Saudi women on the Saudi news channel a step to women appearing on other satellite channels?
A: Saudi women are on other satellite channels. Buthiana Nser was working for ART before she came to the Saudi satellite channel. I myself received other offers from different channels before I came here.
Q: What distinguishes this channel from the others?
A: Credibility, strength and commitment. We will compete strongly against other channels, especially since we broadcast from Riyadh and the staff is 100 percent Saudi.
Q: Do you think that family and children will have a share in the programs?
A: There will be a program called 'Women's Affairs.' It will deal with social and economic problems facing women as wives and mothers. Another planned program is 'Women and Business' which is directed at Arab businesswomen. We don't yet have a children's program.
Q: What about criticism when you appeared on the news channel?
A: The criticisms are baseless. All women reporters are wearing Hijab and we do not appear in a way that is disrespectful of our society.
Q: How do you balance work and family?
A: I will face difficulties at first, but with my husband's understanding and support, I will overcome the difficulties.
