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Reporting Arabia

An in-depth look at the Kingdom's premier English-language daily newspaper.

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Overview

The Publication

Arab News is a prominent English-language daily newspaper published in Saudi Arabia. Headquartered in Riyadh, it operates in a broadsheet format, primarily targeting an audience of business professionals, executives, and diplomats.

Ownership and Alignment

As of May 2019, the newspaper was reportedly owned by Prince Turki bin Salman Al Saud, brother to Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman. Arab News is understood to promote the official positions and narratives of the Saudi government.

Regional Significance

Established in 1975, Arab News holds the distinction of being the first English-language daily newspaper published in Saudi Arabia. It is a key publication under the Saudi Research and Publishing Company (SRPC), a subsidiary of the Saudi Research and Marketing Group (SRMG).

Foundational History

Genesis of a Daily

Arab News was founded in Jeddah on April 20, 1975, by Hisham Hafiz and his brother Mohammad Ali Hafiz. It emerged as the inaugural English-language daily newspaper within Saudi Arabia, marking a significant development in the Kingdom's media landscape. The newspaper's name was jointly conceived by Kamal Adham, Hisham Hafiz, and Turki bin Faisal.

Corporate Roots

The publication is one of twenty-nine titles under the Saudi Research and Publishing Company (SRPC). SRPC itself is a subsidiary of the larger Saudi Research and Marketing Group (SRMG). The chairmanship of SRMG, and by extension Arab News, has seen transitions, with Prince Bader Al Farhan succeeding Turki bin Salman Al Saud before becoming Minister of Culture. The current chairman of SRMG is Engineer Abdulrahman bin Ibrahim Rwaita.

Modernization and Relaunch

Strategic Evolution

On April 4, 2018, Arab News underwent a significant rebranding, introducing a new logo and updating its motto from "The Middle East's Leading English Language Daily" to "The Voice of a Changing Region." This change coincided with the reform initiatives led by Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman. Concurrently, the newspaper announced the relocation of its editorial headquarters from Jeddah to Riyadh.

Digital Expansion

The newspaper has actively pursued international expansion through digital editions. In February 2018, Arab News Pakistan was launched, followed by Arab News Japan in October 2019, marking the first Middle Eastern media outlet established in Japan. A French-language digital edition, Arab News en Francais, was launched in July 2020, with the President of Djibouti attending the virtual inauguration.

Editorial Leadership

Key Editors and Roles

The newspaper has seen several prominent figures lead its editorial direction. Jihad Khazen served as the first editor-in-chief, later establishing Asharq Al Awsat. Due to legal restrictions at the time, Ahmad Mahmoud initially held the editorial role. Subsequent editors include Mohammad Ali Hafiz, Mohammad Shibani, Khaled al-Maeena (who served two terms), Farouq Luqman, Abdulqader Tash, Abdulwahab al-Faiz, and Mohammad Fahad al-Harthi.

Modern Editorial Vision

In September 2016, Faisal J. Abbas was appointed Editor-in-Chief. With prior experience relaunching Al Arabiya English, Abbas's mandate focused on making Arab News "more global, more digital." Under his leadership, the newspaper adopted a new design and expanded its opinion and analysis sections, featuring contributions from notable figures such as Prince Turki al-Faisal and former Turkish FM Yassar Yakis.

Notable Staff

The newspaper has hosted various talented individuals. Somayya Jabarti, who later became the first female Editor-in-Chief of a rival publication, Saudi Gazette, was part of the team. Hana Hajjar is recognized as the Kingdom's sole female political cartoonist. Other notable staff include Siraj Wahab, Rasheed Abousamah, and Baker Atyani, who headed bureaus in London and Asia.

Content and Influence

News Coverage

Arab News provides a comprehensive range of reporting, encompassing politics, finance, sports, and social events relevant to Saudi Arabia and the broader region.

Opinion and Analysis

The publication features opinion pieces and analysis from a diverse set of contributors. Notably, an op-ed by Rasheed Abu Alsamh on the first anniversary of the September 11 attacks urged self-reflection within Arab society regarding the roots of extremism. Another piece by Hassan bin Youssef Yassin in May 2011 critically assessed the failures of Arab nations in providing democracy and economic prosperity.

Public Opinion Research

In May 2017, Arab News entered a strategic media partnership with YouGov, a British polling firm. This collaboration aimed to survey public opinion across the Middle East. Research produced through this partnership highlighted findings such as a significant percentage of Americans being unable to locate the Arab World on a map and majority support among Saudis for the decision to allow women to drive.

Distribution and Reach

Domestic and International Presence

Beyond its primary distribution within Saudi Arabia, Arab News has established a significant international footprint. Plans for wide distribution encompass the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Pakistan, Oman, the Near East, North Africa, Europe, and the United States.

Digital Editions

The newspaper has strategically launched digital editions to cater to specific markets. These include:

  • Arab News Pakistan (Launched February 2018)
  • Arab News Japan (Launched October 2019, publishing in English and Japanese)
  • Arab News en Francais (Launched July 2020, in French)

Critique and Controversy

Perceptions of Alignment

Arab News has been characterized by some sources as a "mouthpiece for the Saudi regime." Publications like Qatar-owned The New Arab and reports from the Associated Press and Haaretz suggest that the newspaper reflects the official Saudi Arabian government position.

Instances of Dismissal

Despite its ownership structure, there have been documented instances where journalists associated with Arab News faced dismissal. In March 1992, editor-in-chief Khaled Almeena was briefly removed for reprinting an interview with Egyptian leader Omar Abdul-Rahman. In April 2007, journalist Fawaz Turki was dismissed for publishing a column critical of Indonesia's actions in East Timor. Turki had reportedly faced prior warnings regarding criticisms of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

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References

References

A full list of references for this article are available at the Arab News Wikipedia page

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Disclaimer

Important Notice

This page has been generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is derived from publicly available data and may not be exhaustive, fully up-to-date, or represent the entirety of the subject matter.

This is not professional media analysis or journalistic advice. The information provided herein is not a substitute for professional consultation regarding media operations, journalism ethics, or geopolitical analysis. Always consult with qualified experts and refer to official sources for definitive information.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided.