Serious content draws reader

Dubai: For Rob Morton, Gulf News is as essential as his daily espresso that he grabs from the petrol station every morning. Being a devoted reader for nearly a decade, Morton, a British expatriate, finds in Gulf News the news he seeks.

"I prefer Gulf News with its serious content," Morton said.

Morton is interested by contemporary events and traffic news that Gulf News often covers, but for the most part, he is interested in the "coming legislations" in the UAE.

Morton also uses Gulf News as a socialising tool. "Every morning, my colleagues and I discuss Gulf News at the office," Morton said.

The 59-year-old expatriate believes that Gulf News' significance lies in the fact that it is a bridge between UAE nationals and expatriates.

"There needs to be a medium where UAE nationals can understand the troubles of the expatriates. It is also important for expatriates to feel they have a voice here," he said.

"I like reading the letters by other readers. I'm delighted by the possibility that the authorities might read and note some of the issues," Morton added.

Contrary to her husband, Carolyn Morton, a sculptor, is not interested in political news, but looks for art news. "I'm interested in the art events that are happening in the UAE," Carolyn said.

Carolyn's most memorable experience and cherished memory with Gulf News was the day she saw her hero in its pages. "I once saw my hero, Barye, a 19th century horse sculpture [considered to be a near-perfect piece] and having that in the newspaper was very exciting," said Carolyn, referring to the famous sculpture from the French Animaliers School.

Together they expect to continue reading the newspaper for years to come.