Al Tayer issues challenge to English print media

Obaid Humaid Al Tayer, managing director of Gulf News, yesterday issued a direct challenge to all English language daily newspapers in the UAE to carry out comprehensive audits meeting international standards.

These should include audits of newsprint imports and consumption, circulation revenue and the size of complimentary circulation, so that readers are not misled.

A new, independent media survey conducted among 2,403 readers by Ipsos-Stat and Business Compass, two independent international research companies, put Gulf News' circulation ahead of all English newspapers, at 33.6 per cent, followed by Khaleej Times at 21.2 per cent, and Gulf Today at 1.4 per cent.

Throwing down the gauntlet to all the print media, especially the English newspapers and magazines, he said: "A comprehensive audit by two international audit firms of newsprint imports and consumption, circulation revenue and the size of complimentary circulation will show Gulf News is far ahead of the rest," he declared, citing the Ipsos-Stat research findings which were unveiled at a gathering of media professionals and the business community.

Al Tayer criticised a section of the English media for making false claims about their circulation figures citing the Audit Bureau of Circulation (ABC), which does not conduct regular audits of all the media in the UAE.

"A media vehicle claims to be the largest ABC-certified English language newspaper in the Gulf. This is a breach of its ABC membership," he said.

"They have breached the ABC membership by misleading readers through the manner in which they are presenting the ABC data and circulation figures.

"Their claim of having the highest ABC-certified circulation in the region implies that all other English language newspapers, including the Gulf News, have also been audited."

He noted the UAE is a model for this entire region, making it imperative to provide data in a factual, unbiased manner.

The findings of the National Media Analysis (NMA) say: "The undisputed leader among English newspapers is Gulf News, and among English magazines is Friday magazine."

See also: Readership Survey