Gulf Times

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[edit] Overview

The "Gulf Times" newspaper was founded in 1978 as the first publication of the Gulf Publishing and Printing Company in the capital city of Qatar, Doha (or [[ad-Dawhah]). One of three English-language newspapers in the country (the others being "The Peninsula [1995] and the newly-launched, in September 06, "Qatar Tribune"), it boasts by far the largest sales of the three. Gulf Times is the oldest surviving newspaper in Qatar.

[edit] History

The Gulf Times, Qatar, (the first publication of the Gulf Publishing and Printing Organisation) was founded on June 1 1978, its contract was signed and the required license was issued on August 5, 1978 in accordance with the laws of Qatar. The first edition of Gulf Times was published on December 10, 1978 as a black-and-white tabloid, under the leadership of Mr. Yousef Kassim Darwish, the Editor-in-chief of both Gulf Times and later the sister Arabic-language paper - Arrayah - first published May 10, 1979.

On January 1, 1993, Gulf Publishing & Printing Company - encompassing both the Gulf Times and Arrayah moved to new headquarters in the Al Hilal Area, on the C Ring Road, with a larger printing press, more up-to-date facilities and a more office space, they were now able to allow the newspaper to grow both in physical size, but also in publishing figures.

In December 1995, Gulf Times was converted from tabloid to broadsheet and the content was increased considerably.

Currently, a Gulf Times newspaper is typically 40 pages, broadsheet, with a separate feature section, called 'Time Out'.

The paper dominates the English language market in Qatar, with about an 80% market share. It has been notable for carrying news reports that go beyond the self-censorship usual to the Gulf region. In particular, it has pioneered reporting of criminal court cases, including reporting serious offences by Qatari nationals and other negative social issues, such as the black market in alcohol. It was also the first Gulf paper to document the mistreatment of very young camel jockeys in a report that is credited with generating pressure for reform of the camel racing industry in several Gulf states.

Although it falls short of the best standards of the Western media [in particular its editorial department faces extreme pressure over coverage of matters concerning leading advertisers (but usually not over political issues)] it is one of the few Arab Gulf papers that tries to provide a proper news service, even of events in the country where it is based.