Riyadh – The Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU), the regional association of radio and television broadcasters that operates under Saudi Arabian leadership, was honored with the 2026 Arab Media Excellence Award. The award, presented by Arab League Secretary‑General Dr. Nabil Fahmy, was received by ASBU President and Saudi Media Forum chairman Mohammed bin Fahd Al‑Harthi on the sidelines of the 56th ordinary session of the Council of Arab Ministers of Information in Cairo.

In his acceptance remarks, Al‑Harthi described the prize as a “high‑level Arab recognition” of the Union’s qualitative achievements and its contribution to the development of a shared Arab media system. He highlighted ASBU’s progress in upgrading technical infrastructure for radio and television, strengthening institutional integration, and widening the exchange of news and program content across member states.

The Union’s General Director, Engineer Abdulrahim Suleiman, was also present at the ceremony. According to Al‑Harthi, the award reflects the success of coordinated, institution‑wide efforts that bring together the capabilities of all member countries. He emphasized that ASBU’s initiatives have been designed to respond to the rapid transformations affecting the media industry, from digital migration to the adoption of artificial‑intelligence tools.

ASBU’s recent portfolio includes expanded broadcasting projects, joint news‑sharing platforms, technical development programmes, and extensive media‑training courses aimed at building a new generation of Arab journalists and technicians. The Union has also invested in digital transformation, supporting member broadcasters in adopting modern production workflows and AI‑driven content management systems.

Al‑Harthi noted that while the award celebrates past accomplishments, it also serves as a catalyst for future cooperation. He called for deeper partnerships and broader integration within the Arab media landscape, with the goal of enhancing the visibility and competitiveness of Arabic content on the global stage.

The recognition comes at a time when Arab media organisations are navigating swift technological change and increasingly competitive international markets. By consolidating resources and fostering shared standards, ASBU aims to position Arab broadcasters to better compete, innovate and preserve cultural relevance.

The ceremony took place at the Arab League Secretariat headquarters in Cairo, concluding a two‑day session of Arab information ministers that addressed issues ranging from media regulation to cross‑border content collaboration. Observers see the award as an affirmation of Saudi Arabia’s pivotal role in steering regional media cooperation and a signal that the Union will continue to drive strategic initiatives across the Arab broadcasting sector.

Sources (learn more):

al-madina.com — https://www.al-madina.com/article/1012152/%D8%AB%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%A9/%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A6%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%85%D9%84%D9%83%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D8%A5%D8%B0%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%8A%D9%81%D9%88%D8%B2-%D8%A8%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%B2%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%B2-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D8%B9%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A8%D9%8A