Today we are celebrating the 39th anniversary of Arab News, the first English-language newspaper in Saudi Arabia that was published in the early stages of the oil and economic boom. Arab News has gone through different stages to become the largest circulating English daily in the country and a pivotal source of information for diplomats, businessmen, businesswomen and international news agencies.
Arab News has been, and continues to be, the window for the outside world to witnesses the developments taking place in Saudi Arabia.
The newspaper maintains a high degree of professionalism, while its credibility and insistence on publishing the truth have made it popular among readers.
Arab News is, in itself, a school of English journalism in the Arab world and has impacted several English newspapers in Arab countries.
Journalists who were trained at Arab News have been promptly recruited by other newspapers and media organizations. This is a reflection of the professional aptitude and efficiency of its staff members.
We are celebrating this anniversary as a precursor of the relaunch of Arab News. We have initiated the relaunch process and we take this occasion as an opportunity to highlight the new changes some of which have been made and many more are under way.
The success achieved by Arab News can be attributed not only to its journalism and professional standards, but also thanks to the fact that it is part of the Saudi Research & Marketing Group, a reputable media company that combines all the essential components of the industry, including publications, press, a distribution firm and an advertising agency.
Arab News bore witness to major developments that have taken place in Saudi Arabia and other parts of the world. It presents news and views in a balanced manner, giving space for opposing opinions.
The parent group has given guidelines to its publications, instructing them to achieve a high level of professionalism and credibility.
The main reason for Arab News reaching new heights year after year is the contribution and guidance of the late Prince Ahmed bin Salman, Prince Faisal bin Salman (Madinah governor) and Prince Turki bin Salman during their respective periods of chairmanship of Saudi Research and Marketing Company (SRMG), the holding company of SRPC and certain other companies.
We, at Arab News, have constantly been translating this guideline into reality. I believe that our readers are the best judges to assess our progress and achievements.
I take this opportunity to express my appreciation for the great efforts made by previous chief editors by developing foolproof systems that helped the newspaper achieve remarkable success in the past.
The past chief editors have played a pivotal role in shaping what it is today. They are Ahmad Mahmoud, Muhammad Ali Hafiz, Zuhair Al-Faqeeh, Muhammad Al-Shibani, Khaled Almaeena, Farouk Luqman, Abdul Qader Tash and Abdulwahab Al-Faiz.
Arab News intends to bring about substantial change in terms of content and appearance on the basis of research studies and guidelines given by the Fox Group.
We have benefited greatly from the group’s views and suggestions. We have already begun implementing a development plan on the basis of these thoughts and ideas, following in the footsteps of successful newspapers in the world.
Establishing close contact with readers and understanding their interests and impressions have given the newspaper greater leverage in coming up with innovations, thus realizing the hopes and aspirations of readers.
Our editorial board has decided to carry on the development process gradually, incorporating new columns and sections. Our readers will have undoubtedly noticed those eye-catching changes during the past few weeks. We will continue this development process, taking our readers’ views and observations into consideration.
The opinion of readers and their proposals will no doubt further encourage us to make more innovative changes.
We will also work to further develop our digital media to achieve integration between our print and electronic editions. Interaction with our readers through social media has had a tremendous impact on getting our news and articles to millions around the world in no time.
We believe that the development process is a continuous journey.
We will continue to develop our print and electronic editions. We also intend to expand by publishing specialized magazines, supplements, new columns and sections.
The encouraging figures of the newspaper’s sales and ad revenues are a positive sign and will definitely encourage us to exert greater efforts to further enhance progress.
We are confident that whenever we develop our product and understand readers’ feedback, we come one step closer to success.
It is through our quest for excellence that we endeavor to achieve further success in the future and continue to live up to your expectations.
Mohammed Fahad Al-Harthi
Editor in Chief