The diplomatic community in Riyadh joined in the 30th anniversary celebrations of Arab News by hailing the newspaper’s style, contents and the courage of its reporting.
They said, “Arab News has been serving as a window to Saudi Arabia for non-Arabic speakers.”
Arab News, which has gone global particularly because of its online reach, has grown from strength to strength during the last three decades.
In a concise user-friendly format, the print edition welcomes readers every morning with distinct features. The diplomats spoke at length as how Arab News has become part and parcel of their life.
“This English-language daily, published every day in color, offers readers both local and international news about politics, economics, sports and social life,” said one diplomat.
It has also emerged as the best title for advertisers to reach non-Arab executives in Saudi Arabia where it holds more than 72 percent of the readership share.
Asked his opinion about Arab News as a trend-setter, American Ambassador James C. Oberwetter said: “How extraordinary it is that the celebration comes on the 60th anniversary of the meeting between our two countries’ leaders, King Abdul Aziz and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. One of the most popular and influential English-language newspapers in the region, Arab News’ influence extends well beyond the Kingdom and the Gulf.”
Congratulating Arab News on its 30th anniversary, Oberwetter said: “Through both its print edition and its website, it shares the views of the Arab world with the West and promotes understanding between our two cultures. A glance at its Letters to the Editor page shows that this publication can stimulate discussion from the shores of the Gulf all the way to the banks of the Potomac.”
Japanese Ambassador Yasuo Saito said: “Arab News has always been a window to Saudi Arabia for non-Arabic speakers — both inside the Kingdom and abroad. One unique advantage of Arab News is its website, which is rich, sophisticated, easy to use and equipped with good archives. Arab News doesn’t just convey news on time, it also provides a forum for discussion on various social issues of the Kingdom.”
The ambassador even has his favorite sections.
“I enjoy reading the Local Press section, which introduces interesting articles of local Arabic language papers. I sincerely hope that Arab News will continue enlightening its readers with its quality and openness.
“As this year is the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Saudi Arabia, I look forward to working with Arab News to further promote friendship and cooperation between our two countries,” the Japanese ambassador added.
“Arab News is the world’s window on Saudi Arabia,” said British Ambassador Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles. “It is edited with growing confidence, courage and conviction. Its pages convey to readers in Saudi Arabia and beyond the challenges that the Kingdom faces, with wit and flair. I salute the paper and its staff on their 30th anniversary.”
“I wish to congratulate Arab News on the occasion of its 30th anniversary,” said Canadian Ambassador Roderick Bell. “A free press is essential to the successful development of a modern society, as the media plays a vital role in informing citizens of developments within their country and around the world. Through its reporting of domestic and international news, as well as cultural and economic trends, Arab News continues to make an invaluable contribution to public discourse in Saudi Arabia.”
Ambassador Bell said: “The remarkable quality of Arab News columnists is particularly noteworthy, as they serve to highlight the diverse range of opinions that exist in Saudi society on the significant issues currently confronting the country.”
He also noted that “stimulating public debate on key and sometimes contentious topics, from democratic reform to unemployment to women’s issues, is one of the media’s most important responsibilities and one that Arab News continues to embrace with verve and energy.”
“Up to date and to the point, pluralistic approach ensuring objectivity, combined with courageous reporting and constructive criticism are the qualities of this newspaper,” said Greek Ambassador I. Economou. “These qualities are duly appreciated, obvious by the response of the readers in their letters to the editor.”
He also said “Arab News is a very useful, analytical tool, not only for our embassy but also for the Greek residents of this hospitable country.”
Economou said “Arab News in short symbolizes journalism of a very high standard. Keep up the good work, and here’s to the next 30 years.”
“Over the years, Arab News, as a leading English language daily in the Middle East, has proved itself as a credible, rich and objective source of information.” said Turkish Ambassador Ugur Dogan.
“Personally, I have benefited and continue to benefit from its varied contents which include carefully edited news items and thoughtful commentaries. I wholeheartedly congratulate its 30th anniversary and wish Arab News family continued success in the coming years.”
(M. Ghazanfar Ali Khan is a senior reporter in Riyadh Bureau.)
