Gulf News versus The National
Posted on 04 June 2009 with no comments from readers
Competition is usually a wonderful spur to any organization, so it is interesting to read how Gulf News is standing up to The National, possibly the last major newspaper launch in the world with a seemingly unlimited budget from Abu Dhabi.
The latest BPA audit shows the circulation of Gulf News up from 115,836 in October to March 2008 to 124,393 for comparable period to March this year. The National is still without an audit so its circulation claims have no validity.
Reader loyalty
But it would appear the new contender is having considerable trouble winning readers from the established market leader Gulf News. Perhaps it is simply that newspaper readers are creatures of habit, or that more English language readers reside in Dubai where Gulf News is produced.
As an editorial product The National has not shied from difficult topics or sensitive stories, particularly when they concern Dubai. Gulf News, on the other hand, has not covered the recession in Dubai with much insight.
Indeed both papers have left it to news agencies, The Financial Times or even The Independent newspaper from the UK to break important local stories which reflects badly on their news gathering capacity and ability to deal with particular local issues.
There is no excuse really when these stories are published instantly on news websites around the world, and even the most casual online reader can see that the UAE papers have passed over yet another story.
Late with the news
Both The National and Gulf News are still a day late with the news on their websites, an advantage that continues to give local business news sites a competitive edge, and allows them to be first with the news, despite their much smaller editorial teams.
In fact if the local papers had been quicker of the mark in developing their own websites this new competition would not have arisen, and they still have not got it. News and newspapers, it should always be remembered are inseparable, and being first with the news is the art of the scoop.
That said the jumble of international news presented in Gulf News might actually have more appeal than the smaller number of well-crafted stories in The National which wins hands down for white space and large photographs. An awful lot of money is being spent for very little original editorial content in both papers.
no Comments posted by readers:
Business 24/7 wins hands down for graphics in print edition, yet not published online!
Gulf News is literally just a news aggregator and will become more so following dismissal of nineteen journalists yesterday!
The National is run by last generation editorial team, so problem is they are unaware of web power! (Possibly they should get an RSS to Telegraph UK)
The National is by far the best read of all the UAE newspapers, for those whose IQ exceeds room temperature.
(ED. Note: Thank you, I wonder which paper you work for? ‘Best Read’ surely means the number of readers and that The National can not claim!)
The “best read” where “read” is a noun and definitely not the most read, except by those who are well read!
No personal connection to the National, but the cheque is in the post!
http://www.arabianbusiness.com/558096-future-of-the-national-editor-clearer-in-a-few-hours
Abu Dhabi, 8 June 2009 – Abu Dhabi Media Company today confirmed that Martin Newland, the founding Editor in Chief of The National, will spearhead expansion of the newspaper’s brand across the company’s range of platforms and services in a new role as Editorial Director. Hassan Fattah will step up from his role of Deputy Editor to become the new Editor in Chief.
Commenting on the promotions, Mohammed Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Media Company said: “The National has rapidly established a reputation for quality, innovation and authority thanks to its world-class editorial team. We are delighted that Martin will now focus his efforts on the next phase of brand expansion across our digital and broadcast spaces, enabling us to pioneer a new era of regionally relevant, on-demand content to rival the multiple platform approach of global news brands. Day to day editorial control of The National’s converged newsroom passes to the experienced hands of Hassan Fattah. Together, these well deserved promotions from within the company reiterate our commitment to The National and to recognising the achievements of both Martin and Hassan.”