Rare documents reveal secrets of the history of Saudi journalism | King Abdulaziz Foundation

In a move reflecting a deep commitment to preserving national memory, the King Abdulaziz Foundation has published a collection of rare historical documents belonging to the writer Fouad Shaker. This initiative offers a window into the history of Saudi journalism, as these valuable collections document the early beginnings of media in the Kingdom and clearly reveal the early and close relationship between media institutions and the state during the formative stages.

The roots and development of the history of Saudi journalism

To understand the overall context of these documents, we must return to the era in which the first nucleus of Saudi media was formed. The emergence of journalism in the Kingdom was linked to the unification of the country by King Abdulaziz Al Saud – may God have mercy on him – with the actual beginning being the publication of the newspaper “Umm Al-Qura” in 1343 AH (1924 CE), which became the official state newspaper. In that critical period, the written word played a pivotal role in spreading awareness, unifying the national ranks, and conveying government decisions to citizens. Pioneers of literature and thought, such as Fouad Shaker and other intellectuals, contributed to laying the foundations of this demanding profession, making journalism a mirror reflecting the social, political, and economic transformations that the Arabian Peninsula witnessed.

The collection displayed by the Darah includes documents spanning from 1322 AH to 1392 AH. This period encompasses official and personal correspondence, royal decrees, press documents, and certificates of appreciation. These holdings serve as living testaments to the development of media discourse in the early history of the Kingdom, the evolution of cultural administration, and the role of the written word in national development.

The strategic importance of documenting media memory

The significance of this event and its anticipated impact are multifaceted. Locally, the publication of these documents strengthens national identity and presents younger generations with a positive image of the pioneering efforts in building the state's institutions. Regionally and internationally, making this vast archive available reinforces the Kingdom's position as a center of cultural and intellectual influence in the Middle East, and provides researchers and academics worldwide with a reliable and crucial reference material for studying the history of media, culture, and administration in Saudi Arabia, thus thwarting any attempts to falsify history or marginalize the Saudi role in the development of Arab journalism.

A national call to preserve documentary heritage

The King Abdulaziz Foundation affirmed that displaying this collection is part of its ongoing and intensive efforts to preserve national documents and make them available to researchers and those interested. It noted that the donation of these documents by their owners, and their conversion into a preserved and documented historical endowment, directly contributes to safeguarding national memory and enhancing awareness of its rich history.

In this context, the King Abdulaziz Foundation renewed its call to every citizen or resident who possesses documents, photographs, or manuscripts of historical value to donate them to the Foundation. This initiative aims to ensure that these items become an integral part of the nation's collective memory, preserved for future generations, and a reliable source for research and study. In doing so, the Foundation continues to fulfill its noble mission of preserving documents, solidifying historical impact, and granting history its rightful place in history.