Syed Faisal Ali
A wounded journalist in Iraq
A wounded journalist in Iraq"People first” is not a mere slogan at Arab News; it is a philosophy that guides the dynamics of its worldwide network.
The Kingdom’s premier English-language daily prides itself on having a corps of correspondents around the world to bring you full access to current, general-interest, news and views that inform, educate and entertain you every morning. It also brings alive Saudi Arabia in all its dimensions to readers outside the Kingdom.
In 30 years of its publication, it has always remained fiercely independent and neutral, presenting the true picture of the world around you. Bias in reportage is anathema to Arab News. It reports both sides of the story without taking sides and its analyses and views are invariably balanced.
With the news market changing dramatically in recent years, people have less free time and, as a result, are more picky about how they spend it. Keeping that in mind, Arab News makes it a point to ensure accuracy, brevity, selectivity, immediacy and interactivity.
With a well-knit network of correspondents worldwide Arab News always tries to be doggedly objective while reporting events and gives an insight into the issue with value addition carefully gleaned from various dependable sources and means.
Where there is news there is Arab News. Arab News Editor in Chief Khaled Almaeena gives great emphasis on stories from our own sources than taking the easy route of cutting and pasting from the wire services.
Almaeena himself is a widely read columnist and journalist of international repute. His incisive columns appearing in Arab News are eagerly read, analyzed and commented upon by its print edition readers as well as online fans.
His studied observations appear in Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Madina, Urdu News and Gulf News and in many other publications. Besides he appears regularly on CNN and world radio networks to comment on Saudi and regional affairs.
He led the Arab News team up front throughout the 1990 Gulf War.
Since all is fair in war what is said by both belligerents is mostly propaganda, so we made sure that our readers get a realistic, first-hand, blow-by-blow account of what is going on.
So we sent out our own never-say-die type reporters to the war front, and history bears witness to the fact that during such crises like the one in Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq or Iran Arab News correspondents have brought you the true picture and won your confidence.
That the reporters came unscathed from the jaws of death at the war fronts is beside the point; the dare devils are only too eager to do it again!
From its inception, the paper has been serving the interests of both Saudis and a large expatriate community and in the process introduced them to each other.
The challenge which is successfully accomplished each morning is meeting the needs of the different cultural communities which make up the diverse population of the Kingdom.
Arab News offers regional news from Europe, America, India, Pakistan, Philippines and Middle Eastern countries for the heterogeneous mix of its readers.
Your newspaper is not given to exaggeration and misrepresentation of facts in order to gain one-upmanship or cheap popularity like many other publications do. Stories are taken and displayed on their merit.
Arab News believes in a strong personal rapport between reporter and readers. As a proactive paper, we value that relationship. Our readers are familiar with our reporters by name. We hope this is the right time and occasion to bring the two closer. Below are pen sketches of the people who make us great:
United States:
Our main source of information from the melting pot of civilization, is Barbara Ferguson, our ever reliable Washington Bureau chief. She covered the Iraq War for Arab News.
After studying and working as a reporter in Paris and London for 18 years, Barbara returned to the United States in the early 1990s to work as a journalist in Washington. She has been a correspondent for Arab News since 1998.
We have one more seasoned journalist in Tim Kennedy — a contributing writer. Tim is a Washington-based defense analyst specializing in US foreign policy, arms proliferation, military technology, and foreign military sales.
Canada:
Latafat Ali Siddiqui — once worked in Arab News and now settled in Canada writes from this part of the world. He is an experienced journalist of Pakistani origin.
England:
Neil Berry — a free-lance journalist from London is a regular contributor to Arab News.
Pakistan:
Salauddin Haider — a seasoned journalist with over 20 years of experience.
Nasim Zehra — an Islamabad based security analyst and a fellow of the Harvard University Asia Center.
Huma Aamir Malik — a Karachi based journalist reports on daily events and news from
Pakistan. She worked with the Daily Star and is presently working with a news agency.
India:
Nilofar Suhrawardy — a Delhi based journalist — she has been with Arab News for the past 10 years. She has worked with the Indian Express and writes for several newspapers.
Syed Amin Jafri — a Hyderabad based journalist who also writes for some international news agencies.
S.N.M. Abdi — a Calcutta-based journalist has tackled many a thorny subjects. His human touch to the stories provides a different perspective.
Shahid Burney — another former Arab News employee, now covers the Western region with an accent on political and crime stories.
Syed Asdar Ali — worked as intern with the Statesman and The Pioneer daily and has been reporting for Arab News for last 5 years.
Mohammed Ashraf — a Kerala based journalist who writes for several newspapers and news agencies is the lynchpin for news from an area that boasts a large presence in the region.
Bahrain:
Mazen Mahdi — a roving reporter also provides some illuminating features.
Shireen Busheri — concentrates on political and economic reports.
Yemen:
Khalid Al-Mahdi — an experienced reporter is the pivot who reports from Sanaa.
Egypt:
Ala Abdul Ghani — a former employee of Arab News, pitches in with some spot stories but concentrates on editorials.
Summer Said — a Cairo-based veteran covers a wide beat. She combines day-to-day stories with some general and entertainment features giving Arab News a strong regional presence.
Palestine:
Hisham Abu Taha — provides the window of the action in Middle East.
Jordan:
Abdul Jalil Mustafa — has the pulse of Amman for our readers.
Syria:
Dahi Hassan — is stationed in Damascus, a key area for news.
Philippines:
Julie Javellana-Santos — has been contributing special and spot stories since 1992.
Al Jacinto — specializes in Mindanao affairs.
We also have Naseer Al-Nahr in Baghdad, Danielle Hosri in Beirut, Arif Ali in Muscat, P.V. Vivekanand in Sharjah and C.P. Ravindran in Doha and a host of other stringers who provide the news as it happens.
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