Rawan Al-Hamidi: Balanced Opinion Pieces Demonstrate the Journalist’s Objectivity

Saudi women journalists are demonstrating their ability to influence despite all the obstacles they face by pursuing their goals of empowering their voices and sharing their ideas with the Arab world in the fast-paced media landscape.

Interviewed by: Hala Abdul Karim Yousef

Amidst this difficult journey, media personality Rawan Al-Hamidi has become one of the most prominent female journalists with a voice that resonates with her audience. Like “Cyberbullying, Social Media Obsession, Block Button Satisfies Celebrities,” and other articles that have been well-received by readers, her opinion pieces touch on a reality that most of us have experienced and deal with issues that affect us all.

We tried to delve into this special talent during our interview and learn more about her opinions on a range of topics about Saudi women and the media, as well as her articles and their connection to social media.

You started working in the media in 2017. What would Rawan Al-Hamidi say was the pivotal moment in that beginning?

I had a dynamic and ambitious start to my media career in 2017, which helped me succeed in Saudi Arabia’s media, literary, and cultural spheres. Joining a group of well-known writers at premier local newspapers and magazines was a game-changer because it allowed me to expand my audience and improve my media presence. Interaction and encouragement from readers greatly influenced my motivation to keep going and grow.

You started penning articles about social issues. Does this article genre suit your personality, and why did you choose it?

I decided to write social articles because they allow me to examine the issues facing my Arab society, delve into its core, and provide ideas and solutions through written content. I am frequently confronted with important and interesting topics, and I like to express my views. Because it enables me to convey my thoughts and affect readers’ emotions, I write in this genre.

Moreover, because I care about bringing up social issues that affect society and help to illuminate issues and come up with group solutions, this kind of writing speaks to my personality. I’m happy that readers use social media to share their thoughts and solutions with me; this motivates me to keep going.

All of your articles seem to be based on real-life events and circumstances that we all encounter. Does Rawan Al-Hamidi think Saudi journalists, in particular, and journalists in general, should be able to portray the reality of their society?

In my opinion, journalists’ job in Saudi Arabia, as in any other country, is to serve as a mirror reflecting society’s reality and bringing significant social issues to light. By doing this, they can help increase public awareness of these problems and inspire officials and citizens to cooperate in finding solutions. These problems will eventually improve as a result of greater awareness and constructive engagement.

Opinion pieces frequently express the writers’ viewpoint. How does journalist Rawan handle this so that her articles strike a balance between her personal beliefs and those of others?

Whenever I write an opinion piece, I try to balance sharing my thoughts with presenting a range of perspectives. I make an effort to be impartial, fair, and to back up my opinions with facts. Along with listening to different points of view, I also make an effort to fairly present them to enhance the conversation and promote fruitful debate. In my opinion, this strategy helps readers develop trusting relationships and raises the writing’s legitimacy.

Your writing style depends on speaking directly to the reader. Does anyone in this field inspire you? Or has your method been influenced by your experience?

I try to speak directly and clearly to the reader in my writing. This is because I had an impact on some Saudi and Arab authors who were able to express their ideas clearly and succinctly, such as the Saudi author Ghazi Al-Gosaibi, who stood out for his eloquent and straightforward writing. I aim for this in my articles because my writing experience has refined my style and given me the courage to speak to readers honestly and directly.

You mentioned that family ties have weakened compared to earlier times in one of your interviews. Does the media, in all its manifestations, contribute to the breakdown of family bonds and the absence of communication between families? What role can the media play in addressing this issue?

Social media’s widespread use is one of the primary causes of the breakdown in family ties. People use these websites for extended periods, which reduces in-person family communication. Additionally, media content that promotes individualism and personal interests can promote social isolation.

The media must actively support the ideals of social interaction and family communication to aid in resolving this issue. This can be accomplished by producing more material that highlights the value of family communication and encourages moral behaviour. The media can also help families understand the risks of social media addiction and offer guidance on striking a healthy balance between technology use and in-person interactions.

Within Saudi Arabia, X is the most popular platform. How does Rawan Al-Hamidi use this platform to distribute her articles in ways that aren’t conventional and increase her media reach?

Since I believe X is a crucial tool for reaching a large audience in Saudi Arabia, I use it efficiently to publish my thoughts and articles. I make an effort to publish content frequently and actively, and I engage with my followers by answering their questions and comments. To expand the reach of my content and draw in more viewers, I also utilise pertinent hashtags.

Furthermore, I try to be imaginative when creating content and offer fresh, intriguing concepts, which promote interaction and engagement. I can reach a larger audience with my media voice in this way, and my articles will have more impact.

What role should a media professional play, considering the abundance of diverse digital media that sometimes depicts lifestyles that differ from the recipient’s surroundings? What part do media professionals in Saudi Arabia play in this?

I think Saudi media professionals should play a more significant and impactful role, given the prevalence of digital media. Media workers need to understand the Saudi social and cultural landscape to produce content that respects the country’s distinctive features and upholds its customs and values. Along with helping to disseminate knowledge and awareness that benefits society, they must also be able to discriminate between positive and negative content.

Saudi media workers have a lot of responsibility in this regard since they have to lead by example when it comes to delivering media content and help to fortify Saudi culture and national identity. Besides, they must be ready to take on the challenges posed by digital media and endeavour to create significant and influential media content that meets the needs of Saudi society.

The Saudi Media Forum is one of Saudi Arabia’s largest media entities. Have you taken part in this? How do you think these forums contribute to the Saudi media landscape?

Although I haven’t taken part in the Saudi Media Forum, I have been to a few of its events, and I think these forums greatly enhance the Saudi media environment. These forums are essential for debate and discussion on significant media issues and enhance interaction and collaboration between media professionals and media institutions in the Kingdom.

Moreover, these forums support innovation and renewal in the media industry by exchanging varied ideas and visions, and they offer special chances for professional growth and education through workshops and discussion sessions. All things considered, these forums help Saudi media perform better and be of higher quality, which benefits the Kingdom’s media environment.

According to the 2024 Family Culture and Entertainment Bulletin, only 38.2% of Saudis read newspapers, whether electronic or printed. Does Rawan Al-Hamidi consider this outcome satisfactory? If so, how might the readership be expanded?

In my opinion, the 38.2% of Saudis who read newspapers is not enough. Therefore, reading and a passion for journalism must be promoted to raise this percentage. Making newspaper content more appealing and engaging, as well as promoting newspapers on social media, can boost readership. It is also possible to plan cultural events and activities that highlight the value of reading and offer easily accessible digital content that satisfies readers’ needs.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 aims to empower women in various fields, including media, by providing support and increasing their involvement in decision-making. Despite facing technical and innovative challenges in digital media and social and cultural obstacles, Vision 2030 offers new opportunities for Saudi women journalists, contributing positively to society and the Saudi media environment.

Saudi women are encouraged to pursue their goals in various fields, including education, engineering, media, medicine, and the arts, with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia committed to supporting and empowering them. Girls considering a career in journalism should put in effort, be persistent, and continue learning and growing. Despite potential obstacles like the editor-in-chief rejecting a freelance article you wrote with passion—this happens frequently—but don’t give up.

They must also seize opportunities in their field, handle public criticism gracefully, voice their opinions, establish a strong media presence, and engage in change by using their stories and words to make a difference in the world.

Saudi women journalists, like Ms. Rawan Al-Hamidi, are crucial in shaping the future of Saudi women in the media industry, aligning with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and fostering new opportunities.

Read more: Dr. Hassan Al-Nemi: Politicians’ Choices Have Power, and so Do the Words of Intellectuals!