Ministry of Media and Google announced a strategic collaboration to support the digital transformation of media sector in Saudi Arabia

Google and the Ministry of Media established a strategic partnership to help Saudi Arabia's media industry transition to digital.  The assertion that 2024 will mark a significant shift in Saudi Arabia's media landscape was made concurrently with the announcement during the 3rd Saudi Media Forum in Riyadh, by Minister of Media Salman Al-Dosary. 

The partnership intends to start specific programmes that will improve the skills of journalists, content developers, and local media workers. In order to fulfil the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, it also aims to promote digital transformation in the media industry, aid in the development of digital expertise, and strengthen media economies.

The collaboration seeks to disseminate the greatest worldwide media industry practices in light of the application of AI tools, particularly in newsrooms. Through Google training for journalists from various Saudi media sources in the areas of digital skills and news organisations, the capacities of local media organisations will be improved. 

In addition, the partnership involves the delivery of training courses to executive editors and other interested media professionals, assistance to young Saudi journalists and media professionals who exhibit promise, and the development of their creative and digital abilities to increase output and effectiveness.

Through Google's developing digital literacy programme "Internet Heroes," it will teach kids how to enhance their safety while using the Internet and instill a sense of personal responsibility for media content consumers among Saudis of all ages. With the assistance of their parents and instructors, this campaign educates kids between the ages of 7 and 12 various ways to be safe when using the internet. Children in the Kingdom would have a safer internet experience because to this literary programme, which would benefit 50,000 youngsters under the age of thirteen.

In a similar move to promote Saudi content creators, YouTube will offer training programmes on video creation strategy for news producers and content creators. Furthermore, in partnership with Upskill Digital, Google taught top media professionals in audience segmentation, boosting advertising income, and enhancing website ranks on "Google Search."