Dubai: Gulf News ranked 12th in Forbes Middle East’s latest ranking of the Top 63 online newspapers of the Arab world.
The ranking was announced on Monday evening at a gala event sponsored by Qualcomm and Al Tayyar Travel Group.
“The press in the gulf region which is led by Saudi newspapers in our ranking is very conservative. Qatar and UAE newspapers also have the same level of caution. The only newspaper that crossed the red line to be on the top of UAE newspaper in our list is Emarat Alyoum,” said Khuloud Al Omian, editor-in-chief of Forbes Middle East.
Egyptian newspaper, Al Youm Al Sabe, maintained its top position for the second year running by attracting more than 15 million visitors to its website during the period surveyed.
Al Watan, a Bahraini online Arabic newspaper, moved ahead the most in the ranking in comparison to its position in last year’s list. It moved 30 places up to take the 16th position in this year’s list.
“The revolutions that toppled the government regimes in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya have also caused remarkable changes in the administrative structure in some newspapers. It contributed in reforming the editorial approach in many newspapers,” said Al Omian.
There were 37 newcomers to the list this year. Al Eqtisadieh from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which ranked eight, was the only newcomer to make it to the Top 10.
“There is a great challenge facing newspapers today in terms of credibility, professionalism, and continuous improvement, especially when it comes to online versions. Therefore, we do encourage and embrace their hard work to promote the Arab Press to be in a better position globally,” said Dr Nasser Al Tayyar, president of Arab Publisher House - Forbes Middle East Magazine.
1. Youm7, Egypt
2. Echourouk Al Youmi, Algeria
3. Emarat Al Youm, UAE
4. Al Ahram, Egypt
5. Al Ral, Jordan
6. Al Quds, Palestine
7. Al Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
8. Al Eqtisadlah, Saudi Arabia
9. Okaz, Saudi Arabia
10. Annahar, Lebanon
11. Al Ral, Kuwait
12. Gulf News, UAE
13. Al Akhbar, Lebanon
14. Qoan, Sudan
15. Al Masry Al Youm, Egypt
16. Al Watan, Bahrain
17. As-safir, Lebanon
18. Al Dlyar, Lebanon
19. Al Wafd, Egypt
20. Al Ittihad, UAE
