I attended the launch of Saudi Vision 2030 in April 2016—an event that marked the beginning of a comprehensive national transformation encompassing economic, social, and cultural reform. At that historic launch, I was also honoured to ask a question personally. What stood out then—and remains deeply relevant today—was the clarity with which Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman defined the media’s role in the reform journey.
In his words: “The media is very important in evaluating the government’s performance in achieving this Vision—evaluating ministries, evaluating the work of ministers, government administrations, and all responsible entities. The media is a very important part of evaluating the Vision and ensuring that everyone is moving correctly to achieve the set objectives.”
This framing carried clear economic implications. By positioning media as part of the evaluation and monitoring process, Vision 2030 embedded transparency into its reform design—reducing information asymmetry, strengthening institutional discipline, and reinforcing credibility with markets, investors, and society at large. The message was delivered openly, publicly, and on record. It was a clear signal that transparency and governance would not be peripheral to reform, but central to the delivery and sustainability of Saudi Arabia’s transformation.
The Saudi Media Forum reflects how empowering media through transparency became an essential pillar of Saudi Arabia’s reform architecture. Over the past decade, this approach has been reinforced institutionally through successive editions of the Saudi Media Forum, each building deliberately on the foundations laid by the previous one. Early editions focused on strengthening professional standards, developing national media capabilities, and aligning the sector with the broader transformation agenda.
Subsequent editions expanded that focus toward digital transformation, content economics, and global engagement. By the time of its fifth edition, the forum had evolved into a strategic platform that reflected the maturity of Saudi Arabia’s media ecosystem and its deep integration with Vision 2030’s economic, social, and cultural reforms.
Today, the forum functions not only as a space for dialogue, but as a mechanism for policy alignment, market signalling, and international positioning—demonstrating how media empowerment has progressed from an early reform principle into an operational pillar within the country's transformation architecture.
Foundations of Vision 2030
Vision 2030 did not only introduce economic diversification initiatives and institutional restructuring; it also embedded transparency and performance measurement at the core of the reform architecture. Clear targets were set, indicators were made available, and progress became subject to ongoing evaluation as part of a disciplined implementation framework.
Within this structure, media was given the space and legitimacy to follow reforms closely, explain policy shifts to the public, assess outcomes, and contribute to informed discussion when needed. This approach reflected a governance model built on openness, clarity, and accountability, where reform progress was documented and assessed through measurable results rather than declarations.
Over time, this openness strengthened credibility. Reform was no longer viewed as ambition alone, but as observable and verifiable progress—visible to citizens, investors, and international stakeholders alike.
Over the past decade, Saudi Arabia’s economic, social, and cultural reforms have progressed under a high degree of public visibility. Structural changes across capital markets, labour frameworks, investment regulations, cultural sectors, and social participation were implemented alongside continuous observation and analysis across diverse media platforms.
Media played a central role in translating complex reform measures into accessible public understanding, contextualising policy shifts, documenting progress, and identifying implementation challenges. This sustained engagement supported informed dialogue, strengthened confidence in the reform trajectory, and reinforced institutional discipline throughout the implementation process.
Rather than impeding reform momentum, transparency enhanced it. Public evaluation contributed to greater consistency, credibility, and responsiveness—factors that have proven essential to sustaining long-term transformation and reinforcing the effectiveness of Vision 2030’s reform outcomes.
Clear conclusion
A decade after the launch of Vision 2030, one conclusion stands out clearly: reforms that endure are those supported by informed and continuous evaluation. Media coverage—professional, diverse, and increasingly sophisticated—has become an important part of the reform environment, helping to clarify, stay consistent, and hold institutions accountable.
This sustained visibility has played a meaningful role in strengthening investor confidence, improving international understanding of Saudi Arabia’s transformation, and reinforcing domestic trust in the reform process. Progress has been documented comprehensively across local, regional, and international platforms, reflecting both achievements and areas requiring further development.
Over time, media has shown its value as a key pillar in sustaining reform momentum, supporting transparency, and reinforcing the long-term credibility of Vision 2030’s economic and societal transformation.
