Fri 09 July 2021:
Saudi Arabia will launch a digital news platform in Washington, DC, that will be a part of the new lobbying initiative targeting US lawmakers and the White House, CNBC reported citing lobbying disclosures filed with the US Justice Department.
According to the filings, Prime Time Media and its CEO, Elie Nakouzi, is assisting with the creation of the news platform, with the company being paid at least $1.6m for its services.
The purchase order included in the lobbying disclosure describes the work being done by Prime Time Media as “English content for news platform”. Over $75,000 has already been spent on equipment, freelancers and a studio space in Washington, the documents say.
The filings were signed by Nakouzi last month, and the purchase order included with the disclosure is dated September 2020.
Prime Time Media “will assist client in the video production of English news content”, but “will not participate in the dissemination of said news content”, the filing said.
CNBC News first reported the disclosures on Thursday.
In an email sent to Middle East Eye, Nakouzi said “Taqnia plans to launch an international online platform” but Prime Time Media could not speak on its behalf. Nakouzi emphasised that his company did not engage in lobbying efforts, and was simply a production house.
The journalists and presenters involved in the project have previous experience with Fox News, Al Jazeera, NBC and Sirius XM Satellite Radio.
One of the documents, called a “news forum,” comes as Saudis begin hiring a new team of lobbyists as the Saudis seek access to President Joe Biden’s administration and the new Congress.
The effort is backed by the Saudi Technology Development and Investment Company (Taqnia ETS), according to foreign lobbying disclosures filed with the Department of Justice.
Taqnia is owned by the kingdom’s $400-billion Public Investment Fund (PIF), the country’s massive sovereign wealth fund designed to invest in projects to help boost Saudi Arabia’s economy. The fund is chaired by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS).
It also comes nearly three years after the death of Jamal Khashoggi, a Washington Post journalist and critic of the Saudi royal family. A recent US intelligence report said Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had sanctioned an operation to capture or kill Khashoggi.
Biden, however, opted not to punish the Crown Prince for his alleged role in Khashoggi’s death.
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