Riyadh: A ministerial session titled 'Media as a Force for Change: Public Opinion Challenges and Shaping the Future Generation' was held as part of the activities of the Saudi Media Forum 2026, with the participation of Syrian Arab Republic Minister of Information Hamza al-Mustafa; Republic of Yemen Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Muammar Al-Eryani; Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Minister of Government Communication Mohammad Al-Momani; and State of Palestine General Supervisor of Media Ahmad Assaf.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the session, moderated by Shura Council member Fahd Al-Aqran, discussed the role of media in shaping public opinion, the challenges associated with the rapid flow of information, and the responsibility of media institutions in building societal awareness amid digital transformations.

The Syrian information minister emphasized that media is no longer viewed merely as a tool for conveying events but has become part of an integrated ecosystem of ideas and communication, playing an active role in shaping public awareness and guiding public opinion cumulatively.

The Yemeni information minister affirmed that the world today is living in an era of rapid impressions, where a news item or headline can shape public opinion, underscoring the need for accuracy and objectivity in handling media content. He noted that the responsibility of media decision-makers goes beyond managing news to managing impact, as such influence extends to shaping an entire generation.

The Jordanian minister explained that the role of modern media is no longer limited to searching for and transmitting information, noting that reporting news constitutes only a limited part of media's mission, while the more important role lies in interpreting events for public opinion, explaining their dimensions, and how society interacts with them.

The Palestinian media official stressed that the effectiveness of media messages lies in delivering them professionally without distortion, underscoring the importance of societies building their media platforms in accordance with the latest professional standards and modern technologies to enhance their ability to communicate messages with effectiveness and credibility.

The session concluded by reaffirming the pivotal role of media as an effective force for positive change and a key instrument in shaping public opinion and building an aware generation capable of engaging with media challenges in the digital age.