# Saudi Journalists Association
## Introduction

The Saudi Journalists Association (SJA) is a professional organization dedicated to supporting and regulating the journalism industry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Established in February 2003 with approval from the Government of Saudi Arabia, it serves as the first trade body for journalists in the country.
The association focuses on:
* Promoting professional journalism standards
* Providing resources and training programs
* Advocating for press freedom within legal constraints
* Organizing events like the Saudi Media Forum and Saudi Media Award
With headquarters in Riyadh, the SJA operates multiple branches across Saudi Arabia and is affiliated with the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

## History

The SJA was established in 2003 as a civil society organization to advance the interests of journalists in Saudi Arabia. Over the years, it has:
* Approved the **Human Capital Development Initiative**
* Developed the **Royal Commission for Riyadh City Project**, a landmark to host media associations.
* Launched a **100-day implementation plan** focused on legal protections and expanding membership.
* Formed new committees, including the Press Freedoms Committee and Training Committee.

## Objectives and Functions

The SJA supports journalists and media professionals by providing:
* Financial support – The Journalists Support Fund (established December 2024) offers aid.
* Training programs – Partnering with Dar Al-Yaum for Media and the University of Missouri, the SJA provides courses on Metaverse Journalism, Artificial intelligence in media, and Augmented and virtual reality technologies
* Industry networking – Organizes the Saudi Media Forum to facilitate discussions on media trends.

## Membership

Professional journalists working in recognized media outlets such as newspapers, television networks, and radio stations can apply for membership.

### Membership Expansion

Although the SJA does not publicly disclose exact membership numbers, recent initiatives include:
* Expanding membership to include media students and trainees to develop future journalists.
* The 2024 elections saw nearly half of the elected board members being women, marking a historic step for gender diversity.

### Membership Benefits

* Access to professional training programs and workshops.
* Legal assistance and advocacy for journalists.
* Networking opportunities with media professionals.
* Recognition programs such as journalism awards and conferences.

## Structure and Governance

The SJA is governed by an elected board of directors, including:
* Chairman: Khaled Al Malik
* Secretary-General: Abdullah Al Jahlan
* President: Adhwan Al-Ahmari
* Vice President: Faisal Abbas
* Treasurer: Bushra Alrabiah
The January 28, 2024 elections included the historic appointment of six women among the thirteen elected members.

## Challenges and Criticism

Saudi journalists face several challenges, including:
* Strict censorship laws requiring approval for sensitive topics.
* Media funding constraints, limiting independent journalism.
* Lack of investigative journalism resources due to legal and financial restrictions.
* Digital censorship concerns, particularly regarding policies on platforms like Twitter.

## Impact and Influence

The SJA has made significant contributions, including:
* Expanding membership to include students and trainees.
* Increasing gender diversity, with 40% of board members being women (2024 elections).
* Global journalism participation, including discussions on AI and journalist safety at the International Federation of Journalists' London meetings.
* Advancing Saudi Arabia’s media sector through ongoing programs and advocacy.