Recent US reports reveal that Riyadh has hired an American expert in the public relations field, Nicolla Hewitt, for the purpose of providing media advice to the kingdom.

Hewitt was a producer for news anchor Katie Couric, and she will be working as a media-relations consultant for the kingdom. 

Recently filed by the US Department of Justice, a recent disclosure says that Hewitt will be freelancing for Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Media and “will perform general public relations and media outreach services, including outreach to broadcast, print and social media about the changing way of life in Saudi Arabia.”

Hewitt's work will be conducted through Thiqah Business Services, a company owned by the Saudi government. According to Eye of Riyadh, Thiqah is a “100% government company owned by Saudi Authority for Accredited Valuers and Saudi Organization for Certified Public Accountants.”

The same disclosure reveals that before the filing, Hewitt was working for the Saudi kingdom's media agency for a year. However, as written on the official website for the Saudi government, the Ministry of Media “supervises all means of visual, audio and written communication content in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

Furthermore, according to the disclosure, Thiqah paid Hewitt $15,000 in November and December - payment in advance. The PR specialist was hired by Saudi Arabia for the purpose of influencing US audiences and officials. 

Lobbyism is a sprouting seed between the two countries. After the election of Joe Biden, Saudi Arabia employed many lobbyists in an attempt to influence the new Biden administration and US Congress. Riyadh, in addition, has also been looking to start a new digital news platform that has its headquarters in Washington. 

Hewitt has prior experience in West Asia and was also on the board of UN Women for Peace, according to her namesake firm’s website. She has worked with Couric for Yahoo News, CBS News, and NBC News, according to her LinkedIn. 

Nicolla Hewitt, @UN_Women #ArabStates Senior Advisor for the #GCC, thanked #Kuwait for its support to the economic empowerment of women and commended leading private sector companies for their commitment to the @WEPrinciples #Women4Growth #WomenInNewKuwait 🇰🇼 pic.twitter.com/xXlUSkygow

— UN Women Arabic (@unwomenarabic) October 2, 2018

Saudi Arabia has been trying to whitewash its human rights abuses through entertainment and festivals. The kingdom seems to be using up a new strategy to further turn a blind eye away from its abuses, by hiring media experts to stretch its influence in the world further.