أعتقد، وربما أنتم تشاركونني هذا الرأي، أن الوقت قد حان لتقديم نموذج عالمي للإعلام الرياضي في المملكة، نموذج جديد لا يعتمد على النسخ المستوردة «قص ولصق»، بل يجسد «عالم السعودية» ويوازي في فكرته وتوجهه «العالم الجديد».
نحن، على مستوى المنطقة وربما القارة، نمثل عالماً واسعاً ومختلفاً وجاذباً ومؤثراً، بل أصبحنا مقياساً ونموذجاً تحتذي به الشعوب الأخرى في قيمة القفزة السعودية من حيث الرؤية والطموح والإنجاز. وقد لفت انتباهي، بصفتي ابن المهنة والمتمرس فيها، الاجتماع الذي عقده معالي وزير الإعلام سلمان الدوسري مع الجهة التي نالت حقوق نقل الدوري السعودي. لم أشهد اجتماعاً مماثلاً إلا في حقبة صاحب السمو الملكي الراحل تركي بن سلطان الذي كان يستلهم توجيهاته من الرئيس الأعلى للإعلام.
كنت دائماً أحاول إقناع الزملاء أن الإعلام ليس هو الرياضة، وأن الرياضة لا تعني الإعلام، وأن «الإعلام الرياضي» كيان مركب ذو كيمياء خاصة، قادر على التمثيل والغناء والرقص والتطبيل أيضاً عند اللزوم، وكل ذلك ضمن حدود المعقول وسيناريو محسوب. وعلى الرغم من الثقل الكبير الذي تمثله الرياضة السعودية وأنديتها وجماهيرها في المنطقة، لجأ البعض إلى اعتماد برامج «التوك شو» كأسلوب دائم، معتبرين إياه النموذج الأمثل للإعلام الرياضي. وهكذا اختُزلت الرسالة في زوايا الإثارة، والحوارات المتشنجة، والمناكفات الجماهيرية التي تثير التفاعل الرقمي وتجذب الجمهور من أجل الأرباح، وتعتمدها قنوات تفتقر للإمكانات المادية، حتى لو جاء ذلك على حساب جودة المضمون.
وحين تناقشهم، يحتجون بالقنوات العالمية، مع أن معظمها تملكها شركات عابرة للحدود أو تستند إلى قيم مجتمعاتهم. هذا النوع من الإعلام مغرٍ بالأرقام، لكنه يفتقر للعمق ويقصي القضايا الكبرى ويشوه الإنجازات.
فقد تحولت بعض البرامج إلى ساحات لتصفية الحسابات، تسيّرها شعبويات آنية وتدار بمنطق «الصوت الأعلى» بدلاً من الطرح المنهجي والإحساس بالمسؤولية. لقد ابتعدت البوصلة عن دور الإعلام في التنوير والتثقيف، وأصبحت تقتصر على تمثيل الفرق وتكريس الانتماءات، وكأن الرياضة باتت محصورة في مباراة أو رأي جمهور، لا في منظومة متكاملة تصنع اقتصاداً وترتقي بوعي المجتمع.
أعتقد أن هذا الاجتماع يؤكد أن الإعلام الرياضي هو امتداد للإعلام الوطني، ومرآة حضارية لمشروع كبير تشهده المملكة في مختلف القطاعات، وفي القلب منها القطاع الرياضي، الذي لم يعد شأناً محلياً، بل أصبح جزءاً من الحضور السعودي على خريطة التأثير العالمي، بفضل الرؤية الطموحة 2030، والدعم اللامحدود من القيادة الرشيدة.
هنا تبرز الحاجة إلى إعادة تعريف الإعلام الرياضي بوصفه مشروعاً إعلامياً له «ثقافته وأسلوبه وأدواته» موازياً للمشروع الرياضي ذاته، لا تابعاً له، ولا مُشوِّهاً لمسيرته.
الإعلام الذي نحتاجه هو ذلك الذي يتقاطع مع قيم الرياضة، النزاهة، الشغف، العمل الجماعي، والتطور المستمر. إعلام لا يختصر المشهد في لقطة جدلية أو تغريدة مثيرة، بل يتسع ليحمل الرواية الكاملة لما يحدث خلف الإنجاز، وما يسبق اللقطة.
وقد كان الاجتماع الذي عقده معالي وزير الإعلام مع المجموعة السعودية للأبحاث والإعلام خطوة نوعية، تعكس رؤية المملكة في اعتبار الإعلام الرياضي عنصراً أساسياً في المشروع الوطني، وليس مجرد تابع له. وأظهر تصريح الوزير بأن «وزارة الإعلام تسخّر جميع إمكاناتها لدعم تغطية جميع المسابقات الرياضية السعودية، بما يعزز حضور المشروع الرياضي السعودي محلياً وعالمياً»، مدى وعي الحكومة بدور الإعلام كشريك في الإنجاز، لا كناقل للنتائج فقط. وفي المقابل تظهر شركة «ثمانية» بمقاربتها السردية وابتكارها، كمرشح مثالي لإعادة تقديم الإعلام الرياضي بصورة أكثر مصداقية وعمقاً، عبر إدخال القصص الرياضية الأصيلة إلى كل بيت وإعلاء صوت الرياضة السعودية بما يناسب حجم التطورات.
إن هذا التحول في المشهد الرياضي السعودي يتطلب محتوى يواكب حجمه ويكشف للجمهور ما وراء الإنجازات، ويوثق النجاحات ليشكّل ذاكرة وطنية للأجيال. لم تعد التغطية الإعلامية تقتصر على نقل المباريات والأهداف، بل أصبحت تشمل السياسات، والاقتصاد، والتخطيط، والتدريب، وتمكين المرأة، ودمج أصحاب الهمم، وتعزيز الأثر المجتمعي للرياضة.
حان الوقت لإعادة الاعتبار لمهنة الإعلام الرياضي وربطها بجذورها، لتكون عيناً ناقدة مسؤولة ولساناً واعياً، وأداة للمعرفة وليست للترفيه السطحي. الأمر لا يتعلق بكبت النقد أو الحد من الرأي، بل بأن يكون النقد موضوعياً مسؤولاً يدفع الجميع نحو الأفضل.
الإعلام الرياضي اليوم ليس في أزمة إمكانات، بل أزمة اختيارات. ومع إطلاق الأستوديوهات الرقمية، والمنصات الإعلامية الجديدة، والتكامل بين المؤسسات الرياضية والإعلامية، أصبح المطلوب تحولاً جذرياً في فكر الإعلامي قبل أدواته. الأدوات والدعم متوفرة، لكن الرسالة تحتاج من يحملها بإيمان وقناعة لا بحثاً عن شهرة عابرة.
فإعادة الاعتبار للإعلام الرياضي تبدأ من الإيمان بأن الرياضة قضية وطنية حقيقية، وأن كل تغطية إعلامية جادة تساهم في بناء الوعي المجتمعي وتعزز الحضور السعودي على الساحة الدولية.
ولهذا ينبغي إدراك أن الإعلام الرياضي لا يُختزل في ما يعرف بالتوك شو والرقص على انفعالات الناس، قد تهم شريحة لكنها ليست كل شيء فمن الممكن أن نخلق برامج حوارية هادفة لها رؤساء تحرير يملكون الرسالة والهدف، فالعمل الناقد الهادف هو الشريك كما يمكن الكثير عمله طالما أننا لا نفتقد الإمكانات التي باستطاعتها تحويل ما نراه مكمن المشكلة إلى أُولى بدايات الحل.
فواز الشريف
لقاء الوزير والمعتقد في الإعلام الرياضي
30 يوليو 2025 - 00:21
|
آخر تحديث 30 يوليو 2025 - 00:21
تابع قناة عكاظ على الواتساب
I believe, and perhaps you share this opinion, that the time has come to present a global model for sports media in the Kingdom, a new model that does not rely on imported copies of "cut and paste," but rather embodies "the world of Saudi Arabia" and parallels the idea and direction of "the new world."
We, at the regional and perhaps continental level, represent a vast, diverse, attractive, and influential world; we have become a benchmark and a model for other nations in terms of the value of the Saudi leap in vision, ambition, and achievement. What caught my attention, as someone who is both a professional and experienced in the field, was the meeting held by His Excellency Minister of Media Salman Al-Dosari with the entity that acquired the broadcasting rights for the Saudi league. I have not witnessed a similar meeting except during the era of the late Prince Turki bin Sultan, who drew his directives from the supreme president of media.
I have always tried to convince my colleagues that media is not sports, and that sports do not mean media, and that "sports media" is a complex entity with its own unique chemistry, capable of representation, singing, dancing, and even drumming when necessary, all within reasonable limits and a calculated scenario. Despite the significant weight that Saudi sports, its clubs, and its fans represent in the region, some have resorted to adopting "talk show" programs as a permanent method, considering it the ideal model for sports media. Thus, the message has been reduced to angles of excitement, heated debates, and fan disputes that provoke digital interaction and attract audiences for profit, adopted by channels that lack financial resources, even if it comes at the expense of content quality.
When you discuss this with them, they argue with examples from global channels, even though most of them are owned by transnational companies or are based on the values of their societies. This type of media is tempting in terms of numbers, but it lacks depth, excludes major issues, and distorts achievements.
Some programs have turned into arenas for settling scores, driven by momentary populism and managed by the logic of "the loudest voice" instead of a systematic approach and a sense of responsibility. The compass has strayed from the role of media in enlightenment and education, and has become limited to representing teams and cementing affiliations, as if sports have become confined to a match or public opinion, rather than an integrated system that creates an economy and elevates societal awareness.
I believe this meeting confirms that sports media is an extension of national media, and a cultural mirror of a grand project that the Kingdom is witnessing across various sectors, with the sports sector at its heart, which is no longer a local affair, but has become part of the Saudi presence on the global influence map, thanks to the ambitious Vision 2030 and the unlimited support from wise leadership.
Here, the need arises to redefine sports media as a media project with its own "culture, style, and tools" parallel to the sports project itself, not subordinate to it, nor distorting its path.
The media we need is one that intersects with the values of sports: integrity, passion, teamwork, and continuous development. Media that does not reduce the scene to a controversial snapshot or an exciting tweet, but expands to carry the full narrative of what happens behind the achievement and what precedes the snapshot.
The meeting held by His Excellency the Minister of Media with the Saudi Research and Media Group was a qualitative step, reflecting the Kingdom's vision in considering sports media as an essential element of the national project, not just a subordinate to it. The minister's statement that "the Ministry of Media is harnessing all its capabilities to support the coverage of all Saudi sports competitions, enhancing the presence of the Saudi sports project both locally and globally," demonstrates the government's awareness of the role of media as a partner in achievement, not just as a transmitter of results. In contrast, the company "Thamanyah," with its narrative approach and innovation, appears as an ideal candidate to re-present sports media in a more credible and profound manner, by bringing authentic sports stories into every home and elevating the voice of Saudi sports to match the scale of developments.
This transformation in the Saudi sports scene requires content that matches its size and reveals to the audience what lies behind the achievements, documenting successes to form a national memory for generations. Media coverage is no longer limited to broadcasting matches and goals; it now includes policies, economics, planning, training, empowering women, integrating people of determination, and enhancing the societal impact of sports.
It is time to restore the dignity of the sports media profession and connect it to its roots, to be a responsible critical eye and a conscious voice, and a tool for knowledge rather than superficial entertainment. It is not about suppressing criticism or limiting opinion, but about ensuring that criticism is objective and responsible, driving everyone towards betterment.
Sports media today is not in a crisis of resources, but in a crisis of choices. With the launch of digital studios, new media platforms, and integration between sports and media institutions, a radical shift in the mindset of the media professional is required before the tools. The tools and support are available, but the message needs someone to carry it with faith and conviction, not in search of fleeting fame.
Restoring the dignity of sports media begins with believing that sports is a true national issue, and that every serious media coverage contributes to building societal awareness and enhances the Saudi presence on the international stage.
Therefore, it should be understood that sports media is not limited to what is known as talk shows and dancing on people's emotions; it may concern a segment but is not everything. It is possible to create purposeful dialogue programs with editors-in-chief who possess the message and the goal, as critical and purposeful work is a partner, and much can be done as long as we do not lack the resources that can transform what we see as the root of the problem into the first steps of the solution.
We, at the regional and perhaps continental level, represent a vast, diverse, attractive, and influential world; we have become a benchmark and a model for other nations in terms of the value of the Saudi leap in vision, ambition, and achievement. What caught my attention, as someone who is both a professional and experienced in the field, was the meeting held by His Excellency Minister of Media Salman Al-Dosari with the entity that acquired the broadcasting rights for the Saudi league. I have not witnessed a similar meeting except during the era of the late Prince Turki bin Sultan, who drew his directives from the supreme president of media.
I have always tried to convince my colleagues that media is not sports, and that sports do not mean media, and that "sports media" is a complex entity with its own unique chemistry, capable of representation, singing, dancing, and even drumming when necessary, all within reasonable limits and a calculated scenario. Despite the significant weight that Saudi sports, its clubs, and its fans represent in the region, some have resorted to adopting "talk show" programs as a permanent method, considering it the ideal model for sports media. Thus, the message has been reduced to angles of excitement, heated debates, and fan disputes that provoke digital interaction and attract audiences for profit, adopted by channels that lack financial resources, even if it comes at the expense of content quality.
When you discuss this with them, they argue with examples from global channels, even though most of them are owned by transnational companies or are based on the values of their societies. This type of media is tempting in terms of numbers, but it lacks depth, excludes major issues, and distorts achievements.
Some programs have turned into arenas for settling scores, driven by momentary populism and managed by the logic of "the loudest voice" instead of a systematic approach and a sense of responsibility. The compass has strayed from the role of media in enlightenment and education, and has become limited to representing teams and cementing affiliations, as if sports have become confined to a match or public opinion, rather than an integrated system that creates an economy and elevates societal awareness.
I believe this meeting confirms that sports media is an extension of national media, and a cultural mirror of a grand project that the Kingdom is witnessing across various sectors, with the sports sector at its heart, which is no longer a local affair, but has become part of the Saudi presence on the global influence map, thanks to the ambitious Vision 2030 and the unlimited support from wise leadership.
Here, the need arises to redefine sports media as a media project with its own "culture, style, and tools" parallel to the sports project itself, not subordinate to it, nor distorting its path.
The media we need is one that intersects with the values of sports: integrity, passion, teamwork, and continuous development. Media that does not reduce the scene to a controversial snapshot or an exciting tweet, but expands to carry the full narrative of what happens behind the achievement and what precedes the snapshot.
The meeting held by His Excellency the Minister of Media with the Saudi Research and Media Group was a qualitative step, reflecting the Kingdom's vision in considering sports media as an essential element of the national project, not just a subordinate to it. The minister's statement that "the Ministry of Media is harnessing all its capabilities to support the coverage of all Saudi sports competitions, enhancing the presence of the Saudi sports project both locally and globally," demonstrates the government's awareness of the role of media as a partner in achievement, not just as a transmitter of results. In contrast, the company "Thamanyah," with its narrative approach and innovation, appears as an ideal candidate to re-present sports media in a more credible and profound manner, by bringing authentic sports stories into every home and elevating the voice of Saudi sports to match the scale of developments.
This transformation in the Saudi sports scene requires content that matches its size and reveals to the audience what lies behind the achievements, documenting successes to form a national memory for generations. Media coverage is no longer limited to broadcasting matches and goals; it now includes policies, economics, planning, training, empowering women, integrating people of determination, and enhancing the societal impact of sports.
It is time to restore the dignity of the sports media profession and connect it to its roots, to be a responsible critical eye and a conscious voice, and a tool for knowledge rather than superficial entertainment. It is not about suppressing criticism or limiting opinion, but about ensuring that criticism is objective and responsible, driving everyone towards betterment.
Sports media today is not in a crisis of resources, but in a crisis of choices. With the launch of digital studios, new media platforms, and integration between sports and media institutions, a radical shift in the mindset of the media professional is required before the tools. The tools and support are available, but the message needs someone to carry it with faith and conviction, not in search of fleeting fame.
Restoring the dignity of sports media begins with believing that sports is a true national issue, and that every serious media coverage contributes to building societal awareness and enhances the Saudi presence on the international stage.
Therefore, it should be understood that sports media is not limited to what is known as talk shows and dancing on people's emotions; it may concern a segment but is not everything. It is possible to create purposeful dialogue programs with editors-in-chief who possess the message and the goal, as critical and purposeful work is a partner, and much can be done as long as we do not lack the resources that can transform what we see as the root of the problem into the first steps of the solution.


