Saudi Arabia: Historic Win for Women in Journalist Body Elections

6 women elected to Saudi Journalists Association in a milestone for the journalist body’s 21-year history

Location: Saudi Arabia, Riyadh
Date: January 28, 2024

The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom applauds the groundbreaking election of six remarkable women to the Saudi Journalists Association —  Noor Nugali, Thekra Alatiwi, Slama AlShethry,  Fatima Aloufi, Bushra Alrabiah, and Mai Alsharif — a significant milestone in the association's 21-year history. We extend our heartfelt congratulations and support to these accomplished women who have shattered barriers and claimed their rightful place in the kingdom's predominantly male-dominated industry. They are paving the way for gender inclusivity in the Gulf nation, otherwise known for its conservative views pertaining to women in the workforce. We look forward to witnessing the positive changes they will bring to the industry and the broader media landscape, ultimately contributing to a more vibrant, inclusive, and free press in the kingdom.

At least six women are part of the 13-member association and have secured a landslide victory in its elections among 21 candidates. These women include Noor Nugali, Arab News deputy editor-in-chief; Thekra Alatiwi, Saudi Broadcast Authority; Slama AlShethry, Sayyidaty Magazine editor-in-chief; Fatima Aloufi, Saudi Ministry of Sports media head; Bushra Alrabiah, Saudi Government Communication Center; and Mai Alsharif, Independent Arabia’s assistant editor-in-chief.

All the elected candidates are part of the newly-founded “Future” coalition comprising editors-in-chief, deputy editors, and senior journalists from the leading newspapers and media outlets in the kingdom who have won by a substantial margin. 

Press Freedom in Saudi Arabia

Press freedom in conservative Saudi Arabia has remained a concern for years, with restrictions and challenges keeping free press and media stifled in the kingdom, as most press and media entities remain state-owned and heavily controlled by the monarchy. The government of the Gulf nation remains under the strict control of the Saudi government as many media organizations either remain state-owned or have close ties to the government, leaving them with little to no editorial independence.

Censorship, on the other hand, is also a concern because content monitoring is also done by the government to ensure it aligns with the kingdom's policies and nation’s cultural norms, with hardly any space for critical reporting on social and political issues, particularly those considered sensitive. CFWIJ and WPF have, in the past, documented cases of arrests and detentions, even of women journalists, even after the otherwise celebrated arrival of moderation in the kingdom.

The government has attempted to crack down on dissent, with journalists detained for expressing their views and reporting contrary to the kingdom's narratives. Writer and human rights activist Nouf Abdulaziz was arrested during the authorities’ crackdown against activists and journalists in May 2018. She was eventually released from Saudi prison on February 10, 2021. The authorities also released Saudi women rights activists Nassima Al-Sadah and Samar Badawi in July 2021 from prison after they served three years for “suspicion of harming the Kingdom’s interests.” Saudi women's rights defender Loujain al-Hathloul was also subjected to imprisonment and was let go after much advocacy and fight for her release, but she still remains subjected to a travel ban to date.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom wholeheartedly supports the newly-elected women in the Saudi Journalists Association. These women, representing a diverse range of media outlets, bring a wealth of talent and experience that will undoubtedly benefit the association and the broader media landscape in the country — enhancing the status of Saudi journalists by advocating for improved compensation, rights, and essential training.  This historic election represents a remarkable step towards greater gender equality and diversity within Saudi journalism. We stand in solidarity with these pioneering women and look forward to a future where press freedom is upheld and journalists are empowered to fulfill their vital role in society.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help women career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

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