- In an era where small screens have become the first window to the world, concepts have become mixed for many regarding the difference between a 'celebrity' and a 'journalist'. While both have an audience and followers, the fundamental question remains: Is every celebrity considered a journalist?

- Shock of numbers in the advertising market Given the current reality of the advertising market, I expected prices to skyrocket and reach astronomical amounts, with the price of a single advertisement exceeding one hundred thousand riyals. But the real shock was when one of my journalist colleagues told me that the fees for some of them in covering events may not exceed 200 riyals with a hospitality meal! (And of course, this applies to those who do not have millions of followers).

- The advertiser often prefers to invite as many attendees as possible to ensure the advertisement reaches different destinations and segments. In contrast, celebrities' prices vary from person to person based on their influence, engagement rate, and number of followers, in the absence of regulations and limited, framed prices for the advertising market.

- The advertising market in Saudi Arabia has changed a lot; digital platforms have become the first driver and controller. Despite this spread, some celebrities cannot under any circumstances be classified under the term 'journalist' or 'reporter'; in the end, they cannot prepare a professional report or conduct a sober press interview, nor do they have a specialized platform that covers media aspects in their comprehensive concept.

- Media work is fundamentally based on professionalism, journalistic integrity, and ethical and social responsibility. The real journalist subjects his tools to verification and investigation, and seeks to convey the truth, educate society, and critique issues from the perspective of public interest.

- As for 'fame' in its modern digital concept, it often relies on attracting attention, creating entertainment, or sharing daily life details. A celebrity may be able to mobilize millions of followers thanks to simple interactive content, but this does not make them a public opinion maker in the systematic or journalistic sense; quick and momentary success often fades just as quickly, while cumulative building based on impact is what lasts.

- Celebrities are divided in what they offer; some provide wonderful and highly beneficial content, others provide weak and worthless content, while a third group has chosen to take the middle road.

- The advertising market has opened a legitimate and available livelihood for everyone, and it is a right for every person as long as they have earned the trust of followers, provided that this gain is not at their expense through falsification, lying, and misdirection.

- The sober journalist is the one who respects his profession and does not get swept away by advertisements he knows are useless; money is not everything. I personally know a number of journalist colleagues who have a very large fan base, but they did not get swept away by the pursuit of material gain, and did not accept for themselves to attend events that add nothing to their professional record except 'a few dirhams and a good meal'!

- Digital platforms have opened a wide door for talents; some have emerged and presented their names in a wonderful and excellent way, and some have fallen into the swamp of financial temptation and lost their value in front of themselves and society.

- In conclusion, every successful journalist is necessarily a famous or well-known figure in his field, but not every celebrity on digital platforms is considered a journalist. Fame is the product of popularity and spread, while 'media' is a profession, a message, and regulations.