Bebe Al-Khadri: "Podcasting" is an influential space reshaping the media landscape
Media professional Bibi Al-Khudri affirmed that the Arab media industry is undergoing rapid transformations that require journalists to keep pace with new tools and develop content delivery methods. She noted that podcasts have become an influential space in the media landscape, offering opportunities to present diverse content, conduct in-depth dialogues, and build more interactive relationships with audiences.
Al-Khudri expressed her pleasure at participating in the Arab Media Summit 2026, describing it as one of the most prominent annual platforms bringing together journalists and content creators. She highlighted that the summit shines a light on successful experiences and opens avenues for exchanging expertise and discussing the future of the media industry in the Arab world.
She stated that her role in moderating the session “Why Podcasts Specifically?” was a significant addition to her professional experience, providing her with the opportunity to closely observe diverse media experiences and innovative ideas in podcast production, a sector witnessing growing popularity and notable audience interest.
Al-Khudri emphasized the importance of such gatherings in enriching journalists’ expertise and enhancing their professional tools, stressing that keeping up with media transformations requires openness to new experiences and an understanding of shifts in audience interests and content consumption patterns.
The session, moderated by Al-Khudri, discussed the transformations underway in the podcast sector, the factors driving the growing demand for podcasts, and the challenges facing content creators amid intensifying competition, the proliferation of platforms, and changing audience preferences.
Participants examined the differences between podcasts and traditional media, noting that the nature of the podcast format grants content creators greater space to present ideas and manage in-depth conversations, free from the time constraints imposed by some television formats.
Media professional Basel Al-Zaro, host of the podcast “The Podcasters,” affirmed that entering the podcast industry has become easier, but the real challenge lies in retaining audiences and ensuring sustained engagement, given the abundance of programs and the wide range of available options.
For his part, Mohammed Al-Hanai, host of the podcast “Jalsat Kark,” outlined his experience in the field, explaining that his launch in 2019 was driven by a desire to provide awareness-oriented content and create a space for discussion on topics that do not receive sufficient attention in other media formats.
Zainab Al-Tai, host of the podcast “Rio and Zainab,” stressed the importance of specialization in content creation, particularly when addressing social and family issues. She affirmed that possessing knowledge and expertise in the topics discussed contributes to elevating content quality and strengthening audience trust.
