RIYADH: As Arab News celebrates its 45th anniversary, heads of foreign missions in Riyadh have praised the leading English-language daily for providing indispensable journalism over more than four decades.
Recent challenges, such as the technological and digital revolution, prove that 45 years of success covering a wide range of areas is no small achievement in itself.
With hundreds of thousands of readers around the world, Arab News — the Middle East’s leading English-language daily — has every reason to celebrate its 45th anniversary.
The newspaper, known for its objectivity, credibility and professional approach, has come a long way from a modest beginning to become one the most reliable sources of information for people in Saudi Arabia, the Middle East and North Africa.
Thanks to its expanding digital platforms, Arab News is now also read by people across the globe, with two more editions in Pakistan and Japan adding value for its readership.
Moreover, new elements added recently to the paper’s columns have drawn positive responses from readers, especially diplomats, businessmen and senior government officials.
Diplomatic Quarter, a weekly column published every Thursday, has become popular among envoys who see Arab News as a highly reliable source of information.
“Packed with information, a window to the world, indispensable, exciting, top quality” were among the remarks made by members of the diplomatic community.
In his message to mark the anniversary, EU Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Michele Cervone d’Urso said: “Happy birthday to Arab News. We have been working very closely on much coverage, including a number of interviews and Arab News journalists traveling to Europe to understand the situation. We welcome the great coverage of EU events by Arab News.”
Raja Ali Ejaz, Pakistan’s current ambassador to the Kingdom, said: “It’s a milestone and I must congratulate its very talented team for bringing the newspaper to a new height. The maturity of the paper can be gauged from the fact that it’s become the first choice for every resident diplomat, scholar, politician (and many others).
“I begin my day by going through Arab News, so thank you for making my day every day.”
Recalling his encounters with the editorial staff during two visits to the Arab News headquarters, Ejaz said: “It was a wonderful experience in the sense that they had some very candid, forthright and diverse views on matters of regional and international interest. For me it was a pleasant and educating experience.”
French Ambassador Francois Gouyette said: “Happy anniversary, Arab News. On this occasion, I extend my sincere congratulations to the team of dedicated professionals.
“Every morning when I arrive at the office, one of my pleasures is to open Arab News and find open windows into the Kingdom, in the region that is dear to me.”
Indian Ambassador Dr. Ausaf Sayeed said: “Arab News is the leading English daily in the Kingdom and is known for its high-quality journalism, covering both international and domestic news for expatriates and Saudi nationals.
“I have had many fond memories of my interactions with the journalists and editors of the newspaper, and their coverage of important events of the Embassy of India and developments in the bilateral relations between India and Saudi Arabia. On its 45th anniversary, I congratulate Arab News and wish them the very best for the future.”
Danish Ambassador Ole Moesby said: “I want to congratulate Arab News — 45 years ago, it was also the day when diplomatic relations between the Kingdom and Denmark started.
“In my tenure of two and half years, I always had a chance to look at Arab News on my computer, iPad and mobile phone, and also have it in my office to read. We really depend on your lovely newspaper,” he added.
South Korean Ambassador Jo Byung-wook said: “I start my day reading Arab News, which has the motto ‘The Voice of a Changing Region,’ and is the Middle East’s leading English-language daily and major source of local and international news.
“In all likelihood, the Middle East is the most misunderstood region in the world as many people have stereotypical preconceptions about it. Arab News, through its interested analytical arguments, helps meet demand for trustworthy news about the region and clearly addresses the misunderstandings. I congratulate it on its 45th anniversary,” he added.
Chinese Ambassador Chen Weiqing said: “I would like to offer my sincere congratulation to this unique newspaper on its outstanding achievement throughout all these 45 years.
“As a regular reader I found many important commentaries and valuable opinions in this newspaper. In my view, Arab News plays a very important role in introducing the world to the Kingdom and Arab countries, and in introducing the Kingdom and Arab countries to the world,” he said, adding this would help enhance relations between China the Middle East.
Ambassador of Malaysia to Saudi Arabia Dato’ Abd Razak Abdul Wahab said: “I congratulate Arab News on its 45th anniversary and wish the newspaper to continue its excellence in news reporting.”
A reader in Islamabad catches up on the latest in Arab News.
