Sultan Alsa’ad : In the new reality, audience will decide the news they consume

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Media organisations should not fear change and should be the first to embrace social and technological change, the editor of a leading Saudi media organisation has said.

Sultan Alsa’ad Alqahtani, Editor-in-Chief of The Riyadh Post, speaking during the first day of the Arab Media Forum 2018, says technology is drastically reshaping the media.

“Media in its traditional form is being transformed and it is happening at a pace much faster than we can comprehend. With the adoption of 5G technology, we will see a transformation in content gathering and delivery mechanism. Organisations should be prepared for it,” says Al Qhtani.

Stating that both the print media as well as TV news programmes are in danger of survival due to technological developments, he argues that traditional news organisations need to plan its transition or adopt more innovative mechanisms to continue in business.

The only thing constant, he argues, will be the primacy of the content. “Be it the survival of print, the TV news shows or even digital news, its content will play a crucial role. There will always be a demand for quality content,” he says.

In the new reality, the audience will decide what news to consume and even when and how they consume it. “As a news organisation we should be prepared to deliver the content the audience needs in all the ways they can possibly consume it,” he adds.

The two-day media conclave is being held under the patronage of Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, from 3-4 April 2018. The event has brought together more than 3,000 prominent regional and international media figures and thought leaders.

Apart from high-profile local speakers, the two-day event features 50 speakers representing 20 countries from across the Arab region and the world. Under the theme ‘Impactful Media Trends’, prominent media personalities, writers, influencers and academics are sharing their views on diverse issues at the Forum with the aim of forging a new vision for the media.