Part 14/16:
Saudi Arabia's pioneering efforts underscore a critical trend: governments recognize that digital influence, especially through platforms like YouTube, is vital for shaping international perception and securing economic advantages. Its early, aggressive moves position it as a possible blueprint for other nations seeking to blend state interests with digital culture.
While Western nations may lag in understanding or intentionally deploy such strategies, the combination of vast financial resources and centralized political control gives autocracies like Saudi Arabia an apparent advantage. Whether this leads to a more balanced, diverse digital landscape or exacerbates authoritarian dominance remains an open question.