JEDDAH, 2 September 2005 — “The news is read to you by Najwa Moemena.” That announcement broadcast last Monday by the Jeddah radio station marked the first time a woman served as a news anchor in Saudi Arabia. Moemena has presented numerous radio programs discussing social and political issues.
She began her career at age 10 on radio children’s programs. Although the presence of women on Saudi radio goes back to its beginnings, and women have been broadcasting news briefs for 15 years, never before last Monday had a woman served as news anchor.
“I felt a huge weight of responsibility on my shoulders as I started reading the news,” Moemena told Arab News. “I felt in charge — not merely for presenting the newscast, but for being a symbol of hope in the continuing march of change among Saudi broadcasters.”
The decision to allow Saudi women to broadcast the news was made at the last meeting of the administration in Riyadh. Dr. Abdullah Al-Jaser, deputy minister of Media Affairs, gave the green light, as there is no rule prohibiting women from presenting the news.
The atmosphere in the newsroom where Moemena made the broadcast was one of excitement and anticipation. Moemena recalls that broadcast director Khaled Jad helped her every step of the way and did not leave her until she went to the newsroom.
“All my coworkers at the radio station in Jeddah gathered with station manager Dr. Abdullah Al-Shayea to hear the One o’clock news I announced,” she said. “I was so touched by their support.”
Station plans are to continue to have Moemena anchor the 1 p.m. Saturday newscasts with Dalal Diya’a. Moemena said she is ready to play a wider role in presenting the news if the station proposes it.
Veteran broadcaster Salwa Shaker, who presented the news briefs half an hour after Moemena, said she hopes progress continues to give women greater opportunities in the broadcasting field.
Shaker broadcasted news for the Saudi Channel television station in 1976 for three months before she traveled to the United States to continue her media studies.
That was the last instance of a Saudi woman taking such a broadcast leadership role. Although Saudi women do not present the news at Saudi Channel One, there are other outlets, such as Al-Arabiya News channel or Saudi Channel Two.
Will Saudi television catch the radio wave? Only time will tell.
