Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohieddin Khoja has approved the establishment and launching of a council of press organizations whose membership is drawn from all Saudi press houses.
The council is made up of general managers of the existing press organizations and takes Riyadh as its headquarters, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Commenting on the initiative, the Minister said it would support the progress of press organizations and enhance their capabilities to achieve common objectives in distribution, administrative and marketing areas.
However, it did not touch upon editorial or media policies of these organizations.
This step, which was preceded by the establishment of the Saudi Journalists Association (SJA), comes in response to the Kingdom’s move to support and streamline the printing and publishing industry in the Kingdom and cope with the expansion of media industry and protection of its huge investments, he said.
The minister called on members of the SJA and the newly created council to coordinate efforts that could boost the role of Saudi media inside and outside the Kingdom.
For his part, the head of the Council of Press Organizations Salih Al-Himaidan expressed thanks to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Crown Prince for their moral and material support to the local press and media which reflect its civilization and development.
The Council is primarily meant to activate the role of press organizations, coordinate efforts to upgrade local media industry and work jointly with national, regional and international agencies related to media and publishing work. The Council is geared for creating mechanisms for undertaking joint efforts such as purchasing machines, print supplies, spare parts and paper, in addition to the exchange of expertise in the administrative, technical and training areas, according to the SPA report.
Council of press organizations launched
