By Dr Talal osman
A Media Figure Testing the Public’s Patience: When Does the Provocative Rhetoric Stop?
In recent years, the Saudi sports scene has witnessed an unprecedented qualitative leap, whether in terms of investment, the quality of competitions, or the global presence that has made the Kingdom a focal point. With such progress, it was only natural for media discourse to evolve as well—becoming more mature, responsible, and balanced. Yet the unfortunate paradox is that some media voices still insist on remaining in the realm of cheap sensationalism, fueling fanaticism and provoking audiences, as if living outside this major transformation.
Among these voices is the host of the program Action, whose media presence has become synonymous with manufactured controversy and statements that go beyond professional criticism into rhetoric that sows division within the sports community. The problem is not the opinions he expresses—opinion is a legitimate right—but rather the manner in which he deliberately escalates, belittles, and ignites sports-related discord under the cover of “media excitement.”
A History of Violations Without Accountability
His recent statements were merely another episode in a long series of excesses. He had previously described the Crown Prince Cup League—a massive national project and a symbol of a new sporting era—using an inappropriate expression (“Um Ahmed League”). Despite the sensitivity of that remark, the matter passed without clear accountability. This silence encouraged him to continue along the same path, eventually leading to the provocation of a global star such as Cristiano Ronaldo, who represents a sporting, commercial, and media value that serves the Kingdom far more than any television presenter could.
Provoking Ronaldo… A Professional Failure That Cannot Be Justified
Attacking Ronaldo is not merely an opinion; it reflects a misjudgment of the Kingdom’s own stature. The presence of a global player of his caliber is part of a larger national project aimed at enhancing Saudi Arabia’s global image, raising the level of the league, attracting investment, and developing talent. Diminishing the value of this project—or its key figures—is, in effect, diminishing the state’s own vision.
When a media figure declares that “Ronaldo should know his place,” he is not only offending the player but also undermining years of institutional work, presenting a media image unworthy of a country leading the largest sports project in the region.
Media Is a Responsibility… Not a Platform for Settling Scores
Sports media is not an arena for venting anger, settling personal scores, or manufacturing trends at the expense of public unity. Media is a national responsibility. Its role is to elevate public taste, not degrade it; to bring audiences closer together, not plant hatred among them; to keep pace with Vision 2030, not drag discourse back to the rhetoric of sensationalist programs.
When Will There Be Deterrence?
The question now echoing among audiences is:
How long will this rhetoric continue without accountability?
Today’s Saudi sports landscape is too significant to be distorted by individual statements. The sports community deserves media that matches its development—not media that survives on provocation and noise.
Criticism is a right, and disagreement is natural, but incitement and fanaticism are not opinions.
A media figure who insists on this approach harms not only himself, but also the profession, the audience, and the global image the Kingdom is building.
The time has come for a new media discourse—one that respects minds, respects achievement, and respects the nation.
