Alwatan ... Past, Present and Future

"Alwatan" is a political daily newspaper appearing every day of the week without interruption and with individual ownership. The concessionaire, general manager and chief editor is Mr. Mohammad bin Suleiman bin Mohammed Al-Taie. The first edition of Alwatan was issued in January 28, 1971, thus signifying the birth of the Omani press under the emblem "Voice of Oman in the Arab world". Alwatan is the only newspaper that has been coeval with the blessed Renaissance march under the leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said.
Over its long course, "Alwatan" had been printed in more than one Arab capital at the very beginnings of the blessed renaissance. In the 1970s, it was printed in Beirut, and when the Lebanese civil war broke out, it moved to Cairo and then to Kuwait, and finally, the Sultanate. Then, Alwatan set up its own press in 1988.
"Alwatan" could satisfy the wishes of Omani citizens everywhere by offering honest and faithful journalistic service to the extent that it has became the voice of the Omani street. It hasn't come all of a sudden as Alwatan found positive responses and acceptance from its readers reflected in the steady growth in distribution rates towards the advanced level it has reached today.
"Alwatan" created its own personality by addressing the audience. On the other hand, Omanis have found in it their long desired goal, giving it all interest. Still, "Alwatan" is one of the leading newspapers in sponsoring the artistic and sports movement in Oman by allocating large spaces for such activities in the Sultanate. It is now the sole historic reference on this growing momentum. Many academics based their master and doctorate theses on "Alwatan" issues over its long history. In addition, Alwatan provides advertising and social services for the public.
"Alwatan" has established one of the latest buildings, not only in the Sultanate but in the entire Middle East region, specifically designated to be its premises, that has all the potentials to develop and evolve over the years. The building, located at Al Azaiba area in Wilayat of Bousher in the governorate of Muscat, houses several departments: editing, financial and administrative sections, the press etc.
"Alwatan" is printed in its own press, which is one of the latest one universally available. The number of workers with "Alwatan" amounts to 267 persons. "Alwatan" is progressing apace in Omanizing posts in all sections where the Omanization rate stands now at 45% of the total number of workers.
Keeping abreast development and upgrading, and in response to the wishes of the readers "Alwatan" makes use of writers from inside and outside the country as well as annually contracted correspondents in a number of Arab and foreign capitals who send reports and journalistic investigations and analysis on a daily basis, round the clock. Alwatan is and has always been keen on discovering the creations Omani writers and helping them to provide new and useful writings, ideas and views that contribute to the service of the nation.
" Alwatan " depends on advertising as an important source of income. advertisers has found a way to the consumer through Alwatan and its closeness to all sectors of society and through distribution ratios recorded daily where it is difficult to find any copies in markets at the daytime, according to observations of independent studies carried out by a foreign institution. These studies have confirmed that " Alwatan " is the first newspaper in the Sultanate through distribution and polling rates.
Independent companies prepared studies on the distribution and the impact on readers and concluded that " Alwatan " is the most popular newspaper in the Sultanate of Oman, pointing out that " Alwatan " is the highest in terms of the number of readers of all ages, the highest in the number of readers for a monthly and annual income and it the highest in the number of male and female readers between 16 to 24 years old. The study showed that " Alwatan "supercedes all newspapers, Arab and non-Arab, in the Sultanate in the rates of readers of all ages.
On 18June, 1996, in a bold step, Alwatan preceded all Omani and many Arab newspapers in changing the paper size and introduced the Omani sail as its own logo to honestly prove that it was the first to express Omani views. The logo also commemorates the sail, which is particularly valuable to the hearts of Omanis.
On 18 July 1997, Alwatan boldly stepped into the world of the Internet, keeping by its commitment to move forward on the road to development and promotion incessantly and assuring readers everywhere that it there to communicate with them without geographical boundaries.
On 22 July, 1999, Alwatan was the first newspaper to introduce Glossy Paper to the Omani press. And on 28 / 01 / 2001 on its 30th anniversary, adding new momentum to this occasion, Alwatan increased the number of pages of the newspaper by adding new specialized sections and more color pages as well as intensifying the cultural and local dose in response to the desires of its readers inside and outside Oman.
The wheel of progress and development pursued by Alwatan knows no stop. That is why Alwatan is still the most acceptable newspaper among readers.

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