Arab media must rebuild trust and narrative to gain global influence: Al-Theyabi

RIYADH — Arab media risks losing both regional and global influence when it lacks reliable information or confines its message to domestic audiences without a broader regional or international perspective, Okaz Editor-in-Chief Jamil Al-Theyabi said on Tuesday.Speaking during a panel titled “What Does Arab Media Need to Go Global?” at the Saudi Media Forum, Al-Theyabi said Arab media sometimes operates in an emotional mode rather than through a clear narrative that frames news stories, reports, and investigative journalism.He stressed that the absence of verified information undermines journalism itself. “If information is missing, the news disappears,” he said, pointing to occasional mistrust between journalists and sources as a key obstacle.Al-Theyabi said global reach cannot be achieved through translation alone, noting that the world today functions as “one room.” He argued that international impact requires a fact-based, non-emotional narrative capable of persuading global audiences.He added that credibility and reliability must take precedence, even at the expense of speed. “Losing the scoop is sometimes the price of preserving trust,” he said, stressing that credibility produces deeper and more lasting influence in a rapidly changing world.Al-Theyabi called on Arab media institutions to build clear editorial identities and consistent editorial policies grounded in professionalism and distinctive impact.Also speaking at the session, Mamoun Fandy, director of the London Global Strategy Institute, said Western decision-makers primarily view Arab media through the lens of “the story.”He noted that economic issues emerging from influential countries such as Saudi Arabia often attract strong interest, while political issues face stricter scrutiny and require validation from trusted sources and research institutions that assess the credibility of information coming from the Arab world.Fandy described the lack of trust between journalists and sources in the region as a “long and complex process” to overcome, adding that translating Arab issues into a global narrative requires sustained institutional effort rather than short-lived influence.He cautioned that the current fascination with artificial intelligence in media will eventually fade, while the enduring value will remain with accurate, verified, and well-documented information.The session, moderated by Al Arabiya presenter Khaled Madkhali, examined why Arab media discourse often remains confined to local frameworks and struggles to penetrate global public opinion.Participants emphasized the need to move from being passive recipients of global narratives to proactive newsmakers capable of shaping and imposing their own narratives internationally, achieving what they described as “narrative sovereignty.”Discussions also addressed the need to develop media professionals capable of communicating with Western audiences using their language and logic, the impact of global platforms and algorithms on amplifying or limiting Arab voices, and the tools required to strengthen the global presence of Arab media.