Saudi Media Oasis Nominated for WSIS Prizes 2024

Saudi Media Oasis Nominated for WSIS Prizes 2024
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Saudi Media Oasis Nominated for WSIS Prizes 2024

Saudi Media Oasis Nominated for WSIS Prizes 2024

The Media Oasis project, launched by the Saudi Ministry of Media, has been nominated for the United Nations World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) 2024 Prizes.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) selected the project to represent Saudi Arabia in the government media sector category.

The nomination comes a year after the project’s launch in 2023, joining over a thousand global projects nominated for this year's prize.

Additionally, Media Oasis's nomination as the sole government representative from the Kingdom in the media sector category reflects the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Media and its partners from the government and private sectors.

These efforts have been evident in the Oasis's five local and international editions, highlighting the importance of joint work in showcasing the achievements of the Kingdom's major national transformation projects to the world.

The Media Oasis project has gained both local and international prominence, coinciding with the Kingdom's participation in several global events and hosting several international and regional conferences.

The first edition of the Oasis was held in conjunction with the 32nd Arab Summit in Jeddah on May 18-19, 2023. The second edition took place alongside the annual Grand Hajj Symposium on June 20-22, 2023. The third edition was held in New Delhi from September 9 to 11, 2023, coinciding with the Kingdom's participation in the G20 Leaders' Summit and the official visit of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to India.

The fourth edition occurred in Diriyah, Riyadh, from November 9 to 11, 2023, coinciding with the Kingdom's hosting of the Saudi-African Summit and the Joint Arab Islamic Extraordinary Summit. The fifth edition was held in conjunction with the Kingdom's participation in the 173rd General Assembly meeting to determine the host country for Expo 2030.

Through Media Oasis, the ministry provides a dedicated and convenient space for local and international media outlets and journalists to carry out media coverage of official and significant events from the center of key national projects and cover events hosted by the Kingdom.

Media Oasis has attracted over 9,800 guests worldwide in its five editions. It has been covered by over 455 media outlets and attended by over 2,600 national and international journalists representing over 70 countries who published over 440 news articles. Additionally, over 380 presenters representing over 65 government entities participated in the event.



Indonesian Passenger Ferry Catches Fire at Sea, Killing at Least 5

Indonesia rescue team members sail on dinghies during a search operation for missing passengers, after the KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya ferry carrying 65 people sank near the Indonesian island of Bali, in Bali, Indonesia, July 3, 2025. REUTERS/Johannes P. Christo
Indonesia rescue team members sail on dinghies during a search operation for missing passengers, after the KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya ferry carrying 65 people sank near the Indonesian island of Bali, in Bali, Indonesia, July 3, 2025. REUTERS/Johannes P. Christo
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Indonesian Passenger Ferry Catches Fire at Sea, Killing at Least 5

Indonesia rescue team members sail on dinghies during a search operation for missing passengers, after the KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya ferry carrying 65 people sank near the Indonesian island of Bali, in Bali, Indonesia, July 3, 2025. REUTERS/Johannes P. Christo
Indonesia rescue team members sail on dinghies during a search operation for missing passengers, after the KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya ferry carrying 65 people sank near the Indonesian island of Bali, in Bali, Indonesia, July 3, 2025. REUTERS/Johannes P. Christo

A passenger ferry carrying hundreds of people caught fire at sea on Sunday off Sulawesi island in Indonesia, killing at least five people, officials said. More than 280 people were rescued and evacuation efforts were ongoing.

The KM Barcelona 5 was headed to Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi province, from Talaud, an island district in the province when it caught fire in waters near Talise, said Vice Adm. Denih Hendrata, commander of the Indonesian Fleet Command, The AP news reported.

He said that three navy ships had been deployed, and 284 passengers and crew members had been evacuated so far. The rescue operation included assistance from local fishermen, who saved some survivors wearing life jackets as they were drifting to nearby islands in the choppy waters.

Rescuers retrieved five bodies, including a pregnant woman.

There were no immediate reports of injuries, and no exact figures of passengers and crew members onboard the ferry.

“We are still focusing on evacuation efforts,” Hendrata said, adding that the cause of the fire was being investigated.

Photos and videos released by the National Search and Rescue Agency showed terrified passengers, mostly wearing life jackets, jumping into the sea. Orange flames and black smoke billowed from the burning vessel.

Indonesia is an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands where ferries are a common method of travel. Disasters occur regularly, with weak safety enforcement often blamed.

Residents of Mentawai Islands found several people stranded on July 14 after a speedboat carrying 18 people capsized during a storm the day before, authorities said. All were in good condition.

A ferry sank near Indonesia’s resort island of Bali early this month, leaving at least 19 dead and 16 others missing. A two-week search operation involved more than 1,000 rescuers, three navy ships, 15 boats, a helicopter and divers.