We have a new daily newspaper in Bahrain called Al-Watan (The Nation.) It’s first issue was released yesterday, unfortunately I couldn’t get a copy, however although it had good articles, and promises that it will do more investigative journalism and fresh opinion pieces, I am left unimpressed. Maybe because it just “bought” some journalists already on the scene for years, good ones like Sawsan Al-Sha’er and Aqeel Swar, both of whom contributed to the paper in making it a mirror image of their previous home of decades, Al-Ayam.
I wish them luck in their future and hope that they will work toward journalistic integrity and enrich Bahrain with their investigative journalism which should unearth corruption and other transgressions with the ultimate reason of elevating the Bahraini democracy, public accountability and work toward the ultimate goal of elevating the quality of life in Bahrain.
Silverooo has a good review of the paper too.
Comments
Al-Watan hits the racks
Got the smart CEO’s office? The apartment in Knightsbridge? The beautiful wife and the kids in private schools? Had the penis augementation surgery? Something missing? Then its time for you to open a newspaper – no modern Bahraini businessman is complete today without his own newspaper, with of course editor-in-chief and journos running round at your behest.
Seven dailies for a population of only 400000 citizens??? Definitely high on the WTF factor. They certainly aren’t in it for the money, since there’s no way there’s either the potential advertising or the sales to support so many titles. Either they’re trying to solve Bahrain’s unemployment problems by getting them all to work as journalists – which is a good move as it happens since every Bahraini I’ve met certainly will chat about politics for hours on end making them naturals; or its recognition that as in the rest of the world by becoming a newspaper proprietor you buy yourself political influence – implicit acknowledgement as to how far things have come over the last five years.
Al-Watan hits the racks
Read it this mornin. Sounds good as long as they stick to their promise of being different. Nothin to say but good luck.
Tell us what you think about it guys.
Khalid
Re: Al-Watan hits the racks
I looked throught the paper today and couldn’t find who the owner, publisher, etc is other than an address in East Riffa with a Po Box and telephone numbers. Their website is just in placeholder-mode with no information. Does anyone know who owns it, who the publisher is and who is the managing editor?
Al-Watan hits the racks
I think its budget comes from the Royal Court so its purpose to be very pro-government..
Re: Al-Watan hits the racks
Somebody forgot to tell Mohammed Al-Othman that fact then… he ripped the government a new one with his article “A Government that Hates its People” this morning.
Al-Watan hits the racks
>>good ones like Sawsan Al-Sha’er and Aqeel Swar
Boy, you really are out of teach with reality. Aqeel Swar?
Re: Al-Watan hits the racks
heh, I thought that someone will notice, and it took less than a day! ;o