AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE CURRENT SITUATION OF SAUDI PRINT NEWSPAPER IN THE DIGITAL ERA: TRENDS AND CHALLENGES

Abstract

Print Journalsm in ine Kingaom ol saudi Aradia, as in most pars ol tne woria, taces unprecedented challenges due to the rapid digital transformations that have reshaped the entire media landscape. The widespread and accelerated adoption of digital platforms and social media has led to a significant decline in newspaper readership, as well as a notable reduction in advertising and commercial revenues. These developments raise fundamental questions about the future of print journalism and its capacity to survive in an increasingly dynamic and digitally driven media environment. In response to these shifts, the present study aims to provide a comprehensive and scientific analysis of the current state of Saudi print journalism in light of the digital revolution. The research explores the transformations experienced by this sector, investigates the challenges it currently faces, and anticipates potential opportunities that may help enhance its sustainability and adaptability to ongoing changes. The study was guided by three main and interrelated objectives. The first objective was to examine the impact ot digital plattorms on saudı print journalısm through the analysıs ot several intluentia factors, hiefly economic, professional, and human, that play a central role in shaping the current landscape of journalism and its capacity to adapt to the transformations imposed by the digital age. The second objective focused on analyzing the economic repercussions resulting from the significant decline in revenues from advertising, distribution, and marketing, particularly over the last decade, during which the print sector experienced substantial contraction. The third objective explored the professional consequences of this decline, assessing its impact on human resources within journalistic institutions, including journalists, editors, and administrators, and evaluating the extent to which these changes are associated with digital transformation in terms of both statistical significance and practical effect. To achieve these goals, the study employed a mixed-methods research approach using a sequential explanatory design. The first phase consisted of quantitative data collection through a structured 13 questionnaire administered to a random sample of 225 employees working across three of the Kingdom's most prominent newspapers: Okaz, Al-Jazirah, and Al-Rivadh. These newspapers were purposefully selected for their wide circulation, broad and diverse readership, and dual-format (print and dıgıtal) publishing, making them an ideal model for examining the evolution of print journalism in the digital era. Following the analysis of quantitative data using appropriate statistical methods, the research transitioned into its second phas, qualitative inquiry. This involved conducting semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of 30 participants drawn from the original pool of respondents who had indicated their willingness to take part in the follow-up phase. The aim of this qualitative component was to deepen the interpretation of the quantitative results and to provide richer insight into the professional and social contexts that shape the lived realities of ournalists in Saudı Arabia The study's findings demonstrated that the Saudi print journalism sector is undergoing a significant decline in both readership and public engagement, accompanied by a continuing drop in advertising revenues and mounting difficulties in sustaining viable economic models. Moreover, the research uncovered a substantial knowledge and skills gap among some journalists regarding the use of digital media tools, a deficiency that diminishes the sector's competitiveness and hampers its ability to adapt to a changing environment. At the same time, the study also revealed that print newspapers still retain a symbolic and formal role in certain institutional settings, especially in relation to government announcements and official communications, which allows them to preserve some of their traditional functions. Notablv. the research identitied several promising opportunities to enhance the sustainabilitv of print journalism in the Kingdom. These include adopting hybrid publishing models that integrate both print and digital formats; developing engaging, interactive multimedia content; expanding visibility and influence on social media platforms; diversifying revenue streams through subscriptions, digital services, and partnerships; and strengthening collaboration with governmental, educational, and technological institutions. Building on these insights, the study concludes with a set of practical, evidence-based recommendations aimed at guiding the print journalism sector through this period of transformation. These recommendations include adopting a freemium digital model that offers both free and premium content, enhancing public engagement through innovative digital marketing strategies, investing in journalist training programs focused on digital literacy and multimedia production, offering novel advertising incentives, and supporting government policies that reinforce the visibility and distribution of print newspapers within institutional frameworks. Furthermore, the study underscores the importance of preserving the cultural, historical, and documentary legacy of print journalism as an essential component of the nation's collective memory. In conclusion, this study represents a significant academic contribution to understanding the profound transformations currently reshaping the media environment in Saudi Arabia. It offers a reliable foundation for the formulation of balanced and future-oriented media policies and paves the way for future studies aimed at examining how traditional media institutions and wider society can effectively adapt to the realities of the digital era.