When Arab News launched its first website at the dawn of the new century Google was three years old and had just been awarded a patent for its now dominant PageRank search mechanism. Facebook and Twitter would not be founded for another few years.
There was a sense of excitement about the possibilities that digital publishing offered especially to the common man or woman.
It was a time where traditional media was no longer the gatekeeper to getting published.
A different way of personal publishing began to emerge. Blogging was its new name.
The masses finally had a voice and it was theirs without the filter of an editor who decides what could and could not be said.
Initially, newspapers saw this nascent medium as a way to broaden their readership and thus charge more for advertising because of that increased reach. Then newspapers realized that everyone was reading their content for free and fewer readers were buying the printed newspaper.
This trend of consuming content online would never be reversed and as a result a number of publications inevitably closed.
It was Albert Einstein who said‚“The measure of intelligence is the ability to change,” and like many publications, this paper, has tried to understand how to best use modern digital resources without hurting the print product that so many people still enjoy.
Arab News is continually trying to reassess how the print and digital products form a cohesive entity.
Fortunately, here in the Kingdom the trend away from print and on to digital appears to be a little slower than in other parts of the world.
However, this could be a generational thing.
There is no doubt that in recent years the Internet and social media in particular have seen a tremendous growth in Saudi Arabia. When it comes to YouTube usage per capita in the world, the Kingdom ranks top.
In its first incarnation, the website was extremely simple.
Needless to say, it didn’t provide much more than a headline and the basic copy and if you were lucky, one image. Over the years, this began to change.
There was a complete site overhaul, introducing new features and sections to make available more of the rich content being produced daily.
The site was being updated, for the first time, throughout the day instead of when the print edition was put to bed.
The improvements were widely appreciated by readers who felt part of the Arab News community.
They discussed news articles, they helped each other answer questions and alerted staffers to potential stories.
The site thus became a first port of call for local news in the English language in the Kingdom.
As a result, the site gained a multifold increase in the number of pages viewed.
The following years saw a rise in the social web.
A multitude of people started using sites like Facebook and Twitter to not only connect with family and friends but also to find and share news.
It was therefore key for Arab News to adapt to these changing trends and to go where readers were. So, a Facebook page and a Twitter account were added.
These became a tremendous success and provided a further platform for our readers to discuss and share Arab News content.
With nearly half a million fans, the Arab News Facebook page has fostered a real community who are active and really care about the issues we cover.
The page is now the number one in the Middle East when compared to other English language papers in the region.
Twitter has also been a success and allows us to get news out quickly to readers.
Arab News’ various digital platforms allow Saudi Arabia’s leading English language news brand to cover news in a way the print edition cannot.
From videos to polls to user generated content, these platforms are a useful complement to the printed newspaper.
Last year’s crackdown on illegal labor in the Kingdom was comprehensively covered by Arab News and readers have praised the paper, particular the digital editions, for the relentless coverage, which readers say was exceptionally informative.
The annual Haj coverage is another example where readers are constantly looking toward the digital offering to find out what is happening during the annual pilgrimage to Makkah.
Recently, Arab News launched a careers portal for those seeking employment in the Kingdom.
This has been well received. Another project, which has also just been launched, is an “Ask an Expert” service where readers can ask several experts questions on a number of topic from law to investing to health.
Many print publications in the Kingdom seem to be in rude health but as some experts believe it’s not a matter of if but when the printed word will be a thing of the past. So it’s important, more than ever, for print brands to take advantage of the potential of digital.
We have taken some determined steps to yank this 39-year-old publication into a rapidly changing digital terrain and we must continue this task if we are to better serve our esteemed and loyal readers.
Adapting to the digital challenge in era of citizen journalism
Adapting to the digital challenge in era of citizen journalism
Saudi crown prince, Greek PM discuss Iran-Israel tensions in phone call
RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke on the phone on Sunday with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to discuss the escalating situation between Israel and Iran, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The two leaders reviewed the latest developments in the region, with particular focus on the repercussions of Israeli military operations targeting Iran.
They stressed the need for restraint and de-escalation, and underlined the importance of resolving disputes through diplomatic means, SPA added.
The phone call comes amid heightened tensions following a series of tit-for-tat strikes between the two countries.
The latest flare-up has raised fears of a broader regional conflict, with international leaders urging all parties to avoid further escalation.
Saudi foundation displays projects at Dutch ‘GreenTech’ exhibition
- Morooj highlighted its technical and operational capabilities, as well as its innovative environmental solutions based on best practices and global standards
RIYADH: The Vegetation Cover Development Foundation, known as Morooj, presented its flagship projects as part of the Saudi delegation at Greentech Amsterdam, an international exhibition for horticulture held from June 10-12 in the Dutch capital.
Morooj highlighted its technical and operational capabilities, as well as its innovative environmental solutions based on best practices and global standards.
The foundation also presented examples of its strategic partnerships with various government and private sectors, as well as with international organizations.
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The foundation’s CEO, Wael Bushah, said that its participation in GreenTech further demonstrates the Kingdom’s efforts to reinforce its leadership in the environmental sector on an international level.
The projects displayed included the planting of millions of mangrove trees, greening mosque areas, promoting community participation in environmental sanitation campaigns, and efforts to rehabilitate natural reserves in various regions of the Kingdom, all of which fall under the Saudi Green Initiative.
The foundation’s CEO, Wael Bushah, said that its participation in GreenTech further demonstrates the Kingdom’s efforts to reinforce its leadership in the environmental sector on an international level.
The exhibition, one of the world’s leading events focused on environmental innovations and sustainable agricultural technologies, is also an opportunity to build new partnerships and exchange expertise on the latest innovations in sustainable agriculture, afforestation, and ecosystem restoration.
Ultimately, Murooj aims to become an interactive platform for knowledge transfer and application, creating meaningful environmental and social impact in the Kingdom.
The foundation’s role of strengthening its international presence and exchanging successful experiences with various global environmental entities and organizations has been crucial to achieving the objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative, founded under Saudi Vision 2030.
SGI, which celebrated its second anniversary earlier this year, has reinforced the Kingdom’s ambitions to become a key contributor to global efforts to combat climate change and enhance environmental sustainability by promoting renewable energy, protecting terrestrial and marine areas, and reaching net-zero domestically by 2060, among other initiatives.
Saudi Arabia displays biotech vision at US convention
- The center will give presentations on biotechnology and health research, the Saudi Biobank, and the sector’s role in Vision 2030
RIYADH: The Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, and King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences will join the Saudi pavilion at the BIO International Convention in Boston, US, from June 16 to 19.
This will be the first joint national representation of Saudi Arabia’s biotechnology sector at the event, aligning with Vision 2030 and the National Biotechnology Strategy.
The King Abdullah center will display national initiatives and host meetings with global biotech companies to explore research and development partnerships.
The pavilion’s program features five sessions, among them a “super session” on innovation and opportunities in Saudi Arabia’s biotechnology sector.
The center will also give presentations on biotechnology and health research, the Saudi Biobank, and the sector’s role in Vision 2030.
The Ministry of Health will launch an accelerator program for biotech startups and host a reception for global investors and industry experts to discuss potential partnerships.
The participation underscores Saudi Arabia’s efforts to support research and development through digital infrastructure, regulatory support, and institutional collaboration.
Jadal Library: A cultural oasis in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province
- Ali Al-Herz turned his home into a library of over 37,000 books, offering visitors space where memory, philosophy, culture come alive
DHAHRAN: In the quiet village of Umm Al-Hamam, located in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, a lifelong passion for books has been transformed into a cultural haven.
Ali Al-Herz, a bibliophile and literary archivist, has turned his home into Jadal Library, a treasure trove of over 37,000 books, more than 100,000 newspapers and magazines, and antiques, some dating back more than a century.
Yet Jadal is not just a library; it is much more than that. It is a museum to explore, a philosophical space to reflect, and a stand against forgetting important cultural stories.
Al-Herz told Arab News: “Since I was born I have been surrounded by my mother’s books. I grew up immersed in this passion to the point where it completely took hold of me; I became a bookworm.”
The spark that ignited it all was when Al-Herz encountered the epic “Sirat Antar” at age 13. “From that epic and through it, I began to look into other worlds,” he said.
This curiosity and fascination ultimately led Al-Herz to create one of Saudi Arabia's most unique initiatives.
The name “Jadal” means “debate” or “discussion” in Arabic, reflecting the library’s curious spirit. For Al-Herz, the goal is not just to preserve texts but also to preserve the idea of questioning and exploring ideas.
Al-Herz said: “I chose this name for the library because it is deeply rooted in ancient Greek philosophical history and in our own Arab-Islamic cultural tradition, particularly in our religious heritage.”
The philosophical atmosphere fills three main halls — named after Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle — which welcome visitors into a curated world of reading and reflection.
Rare manuscripts, ancient texts, newspapers, and antiques have been carefully archived. Each piece is a whisper from the past speaking into the future.
Al-Herz explained: “Even my recent focus on buying books has mostly shifted toward rare editions and old prints, to create a harmony between heritage and modernity.”
But Jadal is not stuck in nostalgia, as every two weeks Al-Herz holds a literary gathering. The event brings back a tradition that was once important in the intellectual life of Arabs.
It is an environment where writers, scholars, and thinkers gather over Arabic coffee to exchange ideas in a vibrant atmosphere.
And in a time when people seek instant information online, Al-Herz still uses traditional methods. “There is an ongoing struggle between two generations,” he observed. “Victory will ultimately go to this latter generation once my generation becomes extinct. Paper libraries will then be transformed into museums.”
Perhaps he is right; but for now, in the heart of Qatif’s countryside, Jadal Library lives on, and it is a place where ink, memory, debate, and heritage continue to shape the cultural soul of the Kingdom.
Saudi envoy leads maritime safety talks in London
- Kamal Al-Junaidi is the first Arab to preside over the committee
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the International Maritime Organization recently made history by chairing the 51st advisory committee meetings of the International Mobile Satellite Organization in London.
Kamal Al-Junaidi is the first Arab to preside over the committee, creating a milestone for both the Kingdom and the Arab world in maritime governance, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
His role also reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing presence in international maritime organizations and commitment to advancing maritime communication and safety systems.
Al-Junaidi managed the sessions and acted as a neutral facilitator, helping member states reach consensus on key issues, including oversight of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, implementation of Long Range Tracking and Safety standards and audit reviews for satellite communication providers.
He also led discussions on proposed maritime safety regulation amendments, monitored the organization’s strategic direction to ensure alignment with IMO standards and submitted the committee’s recommendations to the General Assembly.
The 51st session took place at the IMO headquarters in London, with representatives from 44 countries engaging in in-depth discussions on key maritime challenges.
