A Saudi female journalist takes notes in the press center while Prime Minister Gordon Brown speaks at the opening ceremony of the Jeddah Energy Meeting held at the Jeddah Hilton on June 26. In recent years, the number of Saudi women taking to journalism has been steadily increasing.Saudi television now has women as newscasters and hosts of day-time chat shows In February, Princess Hassa announced prizes and scholarships for female journalists in the Kingdom. A sum SR200,000 will be awarded every year to female journalists who remain in the field for 15 years. Two prizes of SR100,000 each will be given for the best journalism work of the year and for the most distinguished female journalist. Additionally SR600,000 was allocated for annual scholarships and training. According to Princess Hassa, female journalists “are best placed to promote cultural communication between men and women in Saudi society in a manner compatible with Shariah and moderate social norms.” – SG photo by Michael Bou
