Spokesman Abdul Rahman Al-Hazzaa, who is also adviser and director-general of TV, reacted to a speaker who said he should speak in English, while the Minister of Culture and Information Abdul Aziz Khoja was the chief guest and the majority of the audience were Saudis.
Al-Hazzaa said Saudis should respect the Arabic language, especially when they are in their own country, as it is the language of the Holy Qur’an and the Prophet (peace be upon him).
A similar incident took place earlier during an energy conference in the capital, when Arab speakers used English, prompting Saudis to use headphone translations.
The Saudi Broadcasting Forum focused on opportunities and challenges facing the Saudi broadcasting industry as the potential to access information grows via social and new media channels in the Kingdom.
“The media need the support of private and financial sectors as much as they need our support in promoting their products,” Al-Hazzaa said. “I hope these sectors will open their doors to the media because we have a mutual objective,” he said.
On the increasing amount of programs of questionable value in mass media, Al-Hazzaa expressed his confidence that especially TV channels providing excellent programs will surface in the survival of the fittest. “In the long run it is the quality of the programs that make or break the good fortunes of a TV channel.
“Those that do not adhere to quality will be here today and gone tomorrow. Poor planning and lack of proper study will ultimately result in poor performance.”
Al-Hazzaa underlined the importance of objectivity in TV programs so as not to hurt the sensitivities of the people.
Sulaiman Abdulaziz Al-Salem, announcer and producer at the Saudi Channel 1, said that Saudi and Arab channels should present the message of Arabs and Muslims to the world in an acceptable manner by relying on advanced technology. He said the Forum is an opportunity for networking and exchange of expertise with foreign experience and the owners of these channels.
