Al Ayam (Bahrain)
 Al Ayam Logo | |
| Type | Daily newspaper |
|---|---|
| Founder(s) | Tarik Al Muayid |
| Publisher | Al Ayam Publishing Group |
| Founded | 7 March 1989 |
| Political alignment | Liberal; pro-government |
| Headquarters | Manama |
| Website | Official website |
Al Ayam (meaning The Days in English) is an Arabic newspaper published in Bahrain and based in Manama.[1]
History and profile
Al Ayam was established on 7 March 1989.[1][2] It is founded by the former information minister, Tarik Al Muayid.[3]
The paper is part of Al Ayam Publishing Group.[1] Nabeel Al Hamer who is the former information ministry official and was the information affairs advisor to King Hamad in 2006 is the first editor-in-chief of Al Ayam.[3]
The paper generally supports the government while providing a voice for the Kingdom's embattled liberals. In Bahrain's ever expanding newspaper market, the paper faces increased competition from the new Al Watan, which has recruited a number of its senior journalists and has set out to establish itself as Bahrain's newspaper of record.
In 2001 Al Ayam was the best selling newspaper in Bahrain with a circulation of 36,000 copies.[4] The paper's online version was the 40th most visited website for 2010 in the MENA region.[5]
Political stance and criticism
The paper is a leading liberal daily newspaper.[6] Its support for personal liberty and its criticism of religious extremism mean that Al Ayam has faced a barrage of criticism from Islamists. In 2005, hundreds of Shia Islamists protested outside the paper's offices after it published a cartoon on the victory of Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's election victory; while a concerted campaign by Sunni Islamists from Al-Menbar Islamic Society and Asala in May 2006 against the editor, Isa Al Shayji, saw the International Federation of Journalists intervene, with the IFJ's Secretary General Aidan White saying: “Journalists are rightly angry at this form of orchestrated bullying of a respected journalist. We want the authorities to speak out against this campaign. If they remain silent, it will only encourage further attacks.” Participants at an IFJ meeting in Beirut condemned the Islamist campaign against Al Shayji, saying “The vicious and unprovoked attack on a respected and distinguished colleague is an example of the intolerant and undemocratic character of extremist politics that is increasingly being used against the free press."[7]
References
- 1 2 3 "Media Landscape". Menassat. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
- ↑ "About IAA". Information Affairs Authority. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
- 1 2 Omran Salman (2 November 2006). "Dissent and Reform in Bahrain: Challenging Government Control of Media" (PDF). American Enterprise Institute. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
- ↑ "World Press Trends" (PDF). Paris: World Association of Newspapers. 2004. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
- ↑ "Forbes Releases Top 50 MENA Online Newspapers; Lebanon Fails to Make Top 10". Jad Aoun. 28 October 2010. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
- ↑ "Bahrain" (PDF). Publicitas. Retrieved 8 June 2012.
- ↑ Journalists’ Leaders Condemn Attack on Independent Newspaper and Editor in Bahrain