 | |
| Type | Daily newspaper |
|---|---|
| Format | Broadsheet |
| Owner(s) | Several business groups |
| Founded | 1971 |
| Language | Arabic |
| Headquarters | Oman |
| Circulation | 40.000 |
| Website | alwatan.com |
Alwatan (Arabic: الوطن, The Homeland) is a daily Arabic newspaper published in Oman and distributed internationally. It was founded in 1971 and was first published on January 28, 1971. It is the first and oldest Omani newspaper.[1][2] Alwatan has a daily circulation of 40,000.[3]
Alwatan was founded in 1971 to be the first Omani newspaper. It was first published on January 28, 1971. Alwatan was planned to be a daily newspaper but due to problems in printing it was published on a weekly basis in Beirut, Lebanon.[4] The newspaper's editor-in-chief at the time was Nasr Ibn Mohammed al-Taei. It ceased its publication and moved to Cairo, Egypt after the Lebanese Civil War; it later moved to Kuwait City, Kuwait.[1][2]
When Mohammed Ibn Suleiman al-Taei became editor-in-chief, he immediately started planning to expand and make Alwatan a daily newspaper. He employed new employees and journalists, and changed the newspaper's display and organization. On January 28, 1984, Alwatan became a daily newspaper.[4] In August 1988, Alwatan founded their own publishing establishment in Oman, where the newspaper is still being published. Alwatan published its first issue from Oman on August 26, 1988.[4]
In 1996, Alwatan switched to the Broadsheet format and set its slogan. On July 18, 1997, Alwatan launched its Internet website and service, providing readers access to its articles.[1][2][4] In 1999, Alwatan changed to glossy paper, and became the first newspaper to use this type of paper in Oman. In 2001, Alwatan increased the number of the newspaper's pages and added new sections to celebrate the newspaper's 30th anniversary.[1][2]
Alwatan has been credited with the improvement of Omani arts and sports and is considered the only reliable source for the history of sports in Oman.[2] Alwatan has deployed journalists in the capital cities of all the major Arab and Western countries.[1] As of 2007, Alwatan has 187 employees and is the best-selling newspaper in Oman.[1][2]
The Alwatan newspaper currently has 20 pages. It started out with 12 pages, and the number of pages has increased steadily until it reached 20 in 2001. Below is information on the content of every page.[4]
Alwatan's editor-in-chief manages the policy of the newspaper and supervises its preparation. He is helped by a managing editor and a deputy managing editor. The newspaper's departments include: