In 1961, when I was the director general of the Broadcasting, Media and Publication Directorate, which later became the Ministry of Information with me as its first minister, the directorate did not broadcast or publish any news in English or French so that the foreign communities in the Kingdom had no idea about events and developments in the Kingdom. Nor were any official English language publications available in which the translated reports from local Arab dailies could be published. Even the local newspapers were poor in their technical and professional standards. I believed that the lack of any means for the foreign communities living in the country to learn about the country and the people did not serve the interests of the nation. Foreign communities, particularly their diplomatic missions, needed newspapers in English in order to track developments in the Kingdom in a regular manner. On the other hand, the publication of an English newspaper was beyond the potentials of the general directorate nor was it possible for any local publisher in the Kingdom to publish an English newspaper.

In fact, having been a media personality myself, I viewed in the publication of Arab News the fulfillment of a national need and a cultural achievement.

However, prior to the publication of Arab News and Saudi Gazette, I had launched the first English news weekly, “Saudi Newsletter” from the broadcasting, media and publication directorate. The eight-page weekly carrying important news items in the country was distributed to embassies and other foreign economic and cultural establishments operating in the Kingdom.

I was happy to find when I returned home from my ambassadorial position in Kuwait on my appointment as the first information minister that the newsletter launched by me was still accomplishing its humble mission. The ministry did not, however, have the means to convert it into a daily newspaper, and after all that was not the ministry’s task. Other local establishments also did not have the capacity to publish a newspaper of the stature of Arab News.

Saudi newspapers depended on government funding until the 70s. It was with the beginning of the Kingdom’s economic boom in the 70s, commercial advertisements became the primary source of income for newspapers.

The bold step taken by the Hafiz brothers to publish an English daily could not have been profitable in terms of income until the 80s, when the annual advertisement income of some newspapers reached SR300 million.

When the Hafiz brothers started publishing Arab News, the number of English-reading expatriate communities was not as big as at present. The Hafiz brothers knew that Arab News would be a success because they were aware of the nation’s need for an English newspaper. They were journalists who found personal pleasure in their media services for the country’s cultural achievements.

Since the day of its publication on April 20, 1975, the newspaper has set in motion an endless process of revival. It had to counter opposition from the conservative section of society in its early years. However, the newspaper successfully sidestepped those pressures and went ahead with a policy of open-mindedness and development.

Arab News gives a comprehensive array of reports covering areas such as politics, economy, sports, arts and science from different sources and representing different views. Another feature of the newspaper is that it champions the cause of women in the country. Arab News is not just a reporting instrument but it molds the news in its style, wakening up readers’ interest. It is also carries views and opinions.

Arab News is not meant exclusively for the expatriate community but it is an outstanding daily promoting Saudi culture. Saudi businessmen, academics, and thousands of Saudi students in foreign countries read it regularly. It is also a source for Saudi news for foreign news agencies.

The success of every newspaper depends on the success of its editor in chief. I congratulate my friend Khaled Almaeena who has succeeded in making Arab News a huge success over the past 35 years and made it a matter of pride for Saudi journalism.

— Jamil Al-Hujailan is a former Saudi minister. He held the information and health portfolios during two different stints in the Cabinet. He was also a former secretary-general of the GCC.