ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the development of the Saudi Arabian information media and its relation to society and government during the Faisal Era. The Faisal Era is defined as extending from October 1962 when HRH Prince Faisal ibn Abdulaziz became Prime Minister until his death in March 1975, after eleven years as king. This period saw remarkable changes in the Saudi mass media, which in turn had an impact on society. The rapid development of the Saudi mass media had simultaneously conservative and liberalising effects on Saudi society. There was a large and influential conservative segment of Saudi society which had traditionally set the rules for public behavior and which was either opposed to the innovations or highly sceptical about their value and propriety. Domestic television would help counter Egyptian and other foreign radio propaganda, by giving Saudi society an alternative source of news and entertainment. During the Faisal era the information media expanded dramatically.
