Riyadh: The 5th Saudi Media Forum concluded with a remarkable turnout of over 65,000 visitors and celebrated outstanding achievements in the media industry. His Excellency the Saudi Minister of Media, Mr. Salman Al-Dossary, attended the closing ceremony, which highlighted the theme "Media in a Changing World." The event featured the Future of Media Exhibition (FOMEX) and recognized excellence in various media categories, gathering influential figures and media professionals from Saudi Arabia and abroad.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the event welcomed nearly 300 speakers from across the globe, enriching discussions and elevating the forum to an exceptional media festival. Mohammed bin Fahd Al-Harthi, Chairman of the Saudi Media Forum, expressed gratitude towards supporters, partners, and participants, emphasizing the importance of gratitude and appreciation. He outlined the Forum's commitment to transitioning into a sustainable institutional initiative with programs like the "Media Innovation Center," "Growth," "Media Ambassadors," and "Light."

The "Future of Media" exhibition showcased over 250 companies, highlighting the latest in content creation technologies and underscoring media's role as a developmental partner. The Forum set a new world record with 65,603 visitors, officially recognized by Guinness World Records, showcasing its growing international significance.

Awards were given to Khalid Al-Badr for journalistic reporting, Abdulhadi Habtour for journalistic dialogue, and Lama Al-Sahli for academic research. In the audiovisual sector, AI-generated content received an award, with the "Rachid Show" from Morocco and the Ministry of Culture's "Podcasts 1949" program also recognized.

The Tourism Development Fund and the Ministry of Defense were honored for their media productions on National and Foundation Days, respectively. Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah received the Best International Competitor award, Dr. Mohammed Al-Rumaihi was named Best Columnist, and the Vision 2030 account won for Science Day media production.

Dr. Hussein Najjar was named Media Personality of the Year for his distinguished career. His Excellency Mr. Salman Al-Dossary concluded the ceremony by acknowledging the partners and sponsors, marking the forum as a significant milestone in the media landscape.