Media Coffee: Navigating Media and Comms in the Middle East

In this episode of Media Coffee, we sit down with Yazan al-Saadi, international desk editor at The New Arab, whose career spans writing, research, cultural critique—and a lifelong love of comics. He has been published and/or cited on various platforms such as The Nib, Jadaliyya, Al-Jumhuriya, The New Arab, Al-Hudood, Al-Akhbar English, Linus, The Public Source, and more.

We cover everything from why the traditional press release is overdue a creative refresh, to how clunky Arabic translations can undermine credibility. Yazan shares thoughtful advice on building genuine relationships with journalists, and how AI can support—but never replace—the human touch.

Takeaways:

• Press releases are still valuable—but need a creative upgrade. They should be more engaging, thoughtfully written, and adapted to evolving media consumption habits.
• Awkward or literal Arabic translations damage credibility. Instead of relying on translation agencies, companies should consider including native Arabic speakers in their teams for more authentic, effective messaging.
• Incorporating comics and creative storytelling into your outreach can make your communication more engaging and memorable.  

You can watch the full interview with Yazan across the page, and our full Media Coffee archive is available to watch here.