Arab World Media

Saudi Minister of Information Salman Al-Dosari announced the launch of the Lions Riyadh festival, scheduled to take place at the King Abdullah Financial District from 6 to 8 December 2027. The event will bring together marketing executives, creative leaders, agencies, brands and emerging talent in a programme focused on marketing effectiveness and the future of the creative industries.

The 24th Arab Media Summit is continuing in Dubai with a programme examining the sector’s future, content creation, and film and drama production. The second day’s agenda includes a session on the credibility of medical content on social media platforms and a specialised workshop on using artificial intelligence in newsrooms.

Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum honoured the winners in the Arab Media Award categories at a ceremony held in Dubai on the first day of Arab Media Summit 2026. The honours included Waleed Abdul Latif Al-Nisf as Media Personality of the Year and Inam Kachachi as Best Columnist, along with television programmes and Arab journalistic works.

Sky News Arabia said the Algerian authorities had withdrawn its bureau’s accreditation in the country, days after Algeria severed diplomatic ties with the United Arab Emirates. The decision came amid mounting tensions between the two countries, followed by Algerian measures including the closure of its airspace to Emirati aircraft, with a temporary exemption for certain commercial flights.

Media reports have circulated information that Lebanese journalist Lara Habib has submitted her resignation from Al Arabiya, which she joined in 2006 and where she presented economic programmes and coverage. No further details have been announced about the reasons for her resignation or her next professional move.

The Arab Media Summit 2026 will host a group of writers and thinkers to sign their latest books as part of an accompanying cultural programme organised by the Dubai Press Club from 15 to 17 September at Dubai World Trade Centre. The programme will enable participants to meet the authors and learn about their intellectual and creative experiences. The summit is expected to attract 10,000 participants from the media, opinion-making, content and communications sectors.

Reports and social media posts have circulated saying that Lebanese media executive Ali Jaber informed MBC Group’s board and employees working with him of his decision to leave the group during a meeting held on 8 September 2026. No official announcement regarding the move was available.

Five presenters appeared on Al Jazeera newscasts over roughly six weeks, in a move combining the recruitment of experienced journalists from Arab channels with the promotion of journalists from within the network. The group includes Ranim Boukhzam, Ali Nashwan and Hussein Harb, along with Anas Al-Sabbar, who moved from reporting, and Jaafar Salamat, who moved from the newsroom.

Egyptian broadcaster Amal El-Hanawy has been chosen by the ON network to host the new season of “The Last Word,” following her work on “Cairo News.” The program will continue to cover political and economic issues as well as local and regional affairs, while the network has yet to announce the final launch date.

The Dubai Press Club announced that Saida Mirziyoyeva, head of the Presidential Administration of Uzbekistan, will deliver a keynote at the Arab Media Summit, scheduled to take place in Dubai from September 15 to 17, 2026. Her session at the Government Communication Forum will address Uzbekistan’s experience and the role of media and institutional communication in supporting development and building trust.

Jordanian presenter Maryam al-Khatib announced the launch of her new program, “Cinema +,” on Jordanian television in August 2026, in an experience focused on artistic and cinematic content. The broadcaster has not yet published extensive details about the program’s airdate, segments or guests, nor clarified its relationship with “C Cinema.”

Saudi media personality Ali Al-Ghafili has announced his return to the MBC Group through a weekly talk show focused on the Saudi real estate market. “Jah Al Aqar” will host owners, developers, chief executives and policymakers, and will air on MBC FM and be available on the Shahid platform and the MBC Mood app.

Journalist Anas Al-Sabbar made his first appearance as a presenter on Al Jazeera, according to the Arab Media Faces platform, after a career covering events from the United States, where he worked with Sky News Arabia and later Al Jazeera.

beIN Sports will begin live and exclusive coverage of the new European season on 12 August across 24 markets in the Middle East and North Africa, including leading domestic leagues and European club competitions.

Palestinian director Muayad Alayan’s “Conversation With the Sea” will have its world premiere at the 83rd Venice Film Festival before moving on to the Toronto International Film Festival, while MAD World has acquired its worldwide distribution rights.

The Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland will host the world premiere of the Egyptian short film «Khofo» by director Mahmoud Assi on 8 August 2026, as part of the international «Pardi di Domani» (Leopards of Tomorrow) competition.

A new agreement gives OSN+ exclusive streaming rights to «THE 99» in 22 markets, including an enhanced version of the first season, the regional premiere of the second season and exclusive first-window rights to the third season, scheduled for 2027.

Radios in France, like in many countries, are going through a critical phase amid continuous decline in listenership due to technological evolution.

Presenter Maha Abdullah has been away from Sky News Arabia in recent weeks, fueling speculation. Sources say the reason is straightforward and not linked to any major changes.

An administrative decision to move Al Sharq channel headquarters to Riyadh between March 1 and May 1 unsettles around 500 employees in Dubai, with promises of new contracts and benefits, raising questions about the accelerated timeline.

Sarah Dandrawi is a well-known Saudi media personality who presented this segment on the show 'Tafa'olkom', interviewing guests from various fields.

Mohammad Yemout, General Manager of Anghami, launched 'Mazaj' radio in Lebanon on 98.7 FM, in a step combining the digital world and radio broadcasting.