Recording critical moments in Arab News could be considered an easy task because I believe that every day of the last 30 years has been critical.

The start in a small garage off Madinah Road in Jeddah itself was critical. Lumped together in a small office in Sharafiya District near the Old Jeddah Airport was no laughing matter. The enthusiasm, dedication and the conviction that permeated the environment was extremely critical.

In those days, old copies of The Herald Tribune and the Daily Star of Beirut were available. Arab News offered a different outlook — a bit dull, yet offering a source of news that included some sports. There were neither satellites nor FM radio stations, and Arab News did become a source of useful information.

A pivotal moment was the change from tabloid to broadsheet. This gave more space for both news and pictures. The Falkland War also was critical to Arab News. We called it the Malvinas like the Argentineans did, which aroused the ire of the British residents in the Kingdom. For the first time we had a letter to the editor from British Ambassador Sir James Craig protesting that very issue. That was the start of Arab News getting the attention of the diplomatic community in Saudi Arabia.

The tragic events of the Lebanese Civil War were fully covered by Arab News. We depended solely on wire service reports at that time; however, our editorials stood out. For the first time, the views of Arab News were boldly expressed and read by many, which prompted greater interaction between the newspaper and its readers. We encouraged people to respond to our articles, and they did so in their hundreds.

The 1980s was a decade of great turmoil. The Afghan war, the Iraq-Iran war, the weakening of the Soviet Union, assassinations of political leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and the death of Pakistani President Zia-ul-Haq in a mysterious plane crash. Arab News focused on all these events.

However, its greatest achievement and international recognition came during the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq. Throughout operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Arab News was a focal point for the legion of foreign correspondents who invaded the Kingdom.

During these critical days, we provided information, arranged meetings with Saudis, helped guide them and provided a source of moral strength to many who landed here.

CNN, BBC, ITN and a number of other channels hosted Arab News staff. The Gulf War was a watershed. It transferred Arab News from a small, backwater newspaper into one recognized by the world media. Our Gulf War team and its incursion into Kuwait caught the attention of many international newspapers.

This was crucial as it added credibility to the paper. For the first time, Arab News journalists were seen covering a major international war.

We haven’t rested since.

The 1990s also saw gigantic upheavals around the globe, and we were there in Bosnia, Kosovo and Eastern Europe. We also saw a time of more expression in the media. Arab News provided that platform as did other Arabic papers. We then took another critical step toward focusing on local issues relevant to our readers’ daily lives, which paid off with more reader interest in Arab News.

Then came 9/11. We re-evaluated our editorial setup. We called a spade a spade; we didn’t mince words and highlighted the scourge of terror. We did not go on the defensive.

Yes, there was an insignificant minority among us who harbored grudges and committed acts of terrorism, but they did not represent us, and we made that clear. The attacks against our religion and country were countered in a sensible and sober manner.

We were independent, and, as such, we were objective. We shrugged off allegations of being “government controlled” and went on about our work just like any other newspaper around the globe. It was critical to maintain our objectivity. And it was this that saw the outpouring of hundreds of thousands of e-mails from around the globe. Our online edition attracted millions of readers. While there were criticisms, which we took in stride, there were accolades — even from those whose views differed from ours.

Both 9/11 and the Iraq war were crucial to us. Unlike some other segments of the Arab media, we brought news to our readers. We also increased our nonpolitical coverage. Sports became an integral feature, and we attracted readers through coverage and sponsorship of events.

The change in the media environment in Saudi Arabia also helped. Subjects that were taboo were being openly discussed. Changes in the nation’s demographics, attitudes and mores and the rising aspirations of the young needed a public forum, and we provided it. We maintained our cool, and we relied on our own local reporters.

A paradigm shift occurred with the emergence of our own Saudi writers, many of whom were women. They wrote without hindrance and let their voices be heard.

The Arab News now has become an inalienable part of not only the Saudi but the Arab media scene. Its articles are reprinted in major publications around the globe. Its editorials have become a must for those who want insight into what the Saudis think. We don’t represent the government; however, our aim is to provide a balanced and fair projection of Saudi Arabia and its people. And we do.

The critical moment in a newspaper is when you decide on what route you are taking. Do we please the authorities? Do we cater to advertisers’ interests? Do we give into our readers’ whims?

I think it’s a mixture of many elements; foremost among them is to bring out the truth, and we did so on many occasions. We highlight the plight of workers and abused children and focused on the dangers of domestic violence.

The terror attacks in the Kingdom provided another critical juncture. How would we cover the menace of terror? We did it like any other newspaper.

Arab News today celebrates its 30th year. We may applaud ourselves briefly — but only for this day. A newspaper is only as good as its last edition, and at Arab News we strive to make each “next edition” the best one we have ever done. It’s a high standard, but you, the reader, deserves no less. Thank you all for your continued support, and don’t hesitate to let us know how we’re doing.