Buy in is crucial, no project can work without a conviction from the top, says international media consultant David Brewer who collaborated with Lebanese newspaper An-Nahar to launch one of the first web TV channels in the Arab world. APN interviewed David Brewer to have more insight on this project. More
"Our pages were gray and unattractive", says Mourad Rouane, technical director for Algerian newspaper El Watan. "Today they are enjoyable and easier to read thanks to a visual facelift and overhaul of our editorial processes." APN interviewed Mourad Rouane to have more insight about the changes El Watan has been going through and it's new editorial and layout strategies. More
"We needed more internal coordination", says Omar Belhouchet, managing editor of the Algerian daily El Watan. "Our editorial processes needed to be consolidated, but we also needed to make sure not to stifle our ambition and energy.Two years ago, the respected Algerian El Watan embarked on a challenging overhaul of its editorial and technical processes. As chief editor Fayçal Métaoui said at the time, the project was as comprehensive as it was ambitious. More
The radical overhaul of newspapers prompted by the digital revolution and reinforced by the recent economic crisis is now unavoidable. The sector must respond to the challenges posed by digital technology, but also to new market conditions and consumption habits. Trends in Newsrooms, an annual report by the World Editor's Forum (WEF), attempts to decipher these new industry trends and provide a deeper look into the sector. More
The World Association of Newspapers and IFRA, the leading international associations for print and digital news publishing, have merged into a new organisation, the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA). The combined new organisation will represent more than 18,000 publications, 15,000 online sites and over 3000 companies in more than 120 countries. WAN-IFRA is dedicated "to be the indispensable partner of newspapers and the entire news publishing industry worldwide, particularly our members, in the defense and promotion of press freedom, quality journalism and editorial integrity, and the development of prosperous businesses and technology." More
Following a series of incidents where journalists have been attacked by security forces, a first-ever event bringing together media and government representatives was held last month in Jordan. The aim of the seminar was to discuss the relationship between journalists and the security forces and the safety of journalists when covering different events. More
Global Integrity, a U.S.-based international non-profit organization dedicated to tracking governance and corruption trends around the world, is seeking journalists to prepare its 2008 Report.
Since April 2007, the American University of Beirut offers professional training programmes to journalists from the Arab world. The courses cover a large variety of topics, from online journalism to war reporting. APN spoke to Magda Abu-Fadil who is in charge of the programme.
"While we are fighting for other people's rights through our reporting, our own rights have been violated for years," writes Saudi journalist Suzan Zawawi in an article which explores the plight of her fellow journalists in the country. Their working conditions may, however, change thanks to various initiatives taken by Princess Hussa, daughter of Riyadh Emir Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, states the article, originally published by the Saudi Gazette.
It is only recently that media professionals in the Arab world have shown interest in journalists' union activity. While it is true that countries like Egypt and Morocco have been in the vanguard of the journalists' union struggle since the 1960s, the situation is quite different in Syria or Libya, where journalists are not permitted to organize to defend their rights and interests. APN spoke about these issues with Sarah Bouchetob, Head of Projects for the Middle East and North Africa Region at the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).
In 2004, Dubai saw the launch of its first afternoon daily, The Emirates Evening Post, which enjoyed "moderate success," according to its marketing and sales agents. In December 2005, the paper was totally revamped. The Post went tabloid, changed the entire design and the treatment of stories. As a result, work methods had to change and the staff had to get used to the new concept and develop new skills.
More
Newsroom managers usually get very little training on how to interact with staff. This will have negative effects on both the work of the journalists and the newsroom in general.
More
Newsroom management is key for assuring editorial quality. APN spoke to Abdul Hamid Ahmad, editor-in-chief of the Dubai-based Gulf News , about the role that training has played in improving the quality of the newspaper.
More
Donald Fry, a
freelance writing coach, gives his views on newsroom management. He
warns about business values overlapping journalistic values in the
absence of newsroom management. More
"Too often I
hear people from small newspapers say that they cannot develop the
newsroom management because of lack of money. But newsroom management
has nothing to do with money. It is a question of motivation and the
will to change things. Newsroom management is not only for the New York
Times but for all papers, no matter the size."
More
Buy in is crucial, no project can work without a conviction from the top, says international media consultant David Brewer who collaborated with Lebanese newspaper An-Nahar to launch one of the first web TV channels in the Arab world. APN interviewed David Brewer to have more insight on this project. More
"Our pages were gray and unattractive", says Mourad Rouane, technical director for Algerian newspaper El Watan. "Today they are enjoyable and easier to read thanks to a visual facelift and overhaul of our editorial processes." APN interviewed Mourad Rouane to have more insight about the changes El Watan has been going through and it's new editorial and layout strategies. More
The radical overhaul of newspapers prompted by the digital revolution and reinforced by the recent economic crisis is now unavoidable. The sector must respond to the challenges posed by digital technology, but also to new market conditions and consumption habits. Trends in Newsrooms, an annual report by the World Editor's Forum (WEF), attempts to decipher these new industry trends and provide a deeper look into the sector. More
Since April 2007, the American University of Beirut offers professional training programmes to journalists from the Arab world. The courses cover a large variety of topics, from online journalism to war reporting. APN spoke to Magda Abu-Fadil who is in charge of the programme.
"While we are fighting for other people's rights through our reporting, our own rights have been violated for years," writes Saudi journalist Suzan Zawawi in an article which explores the plight of her fellow journalists in the country. Their working conditions may, however, change thanks to various initiatives taken by Princess Hussa, daughter of Riyadh Emir Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, states the article, originally published by the Saudi Gazette.
It is only recently that media professionals in the Arab world have shown interest in journalists' union activity. While it is true that countries like Egypt and Morocco have been in the vanguard of the journalists' union struggle since the 1960s, the situation is quite different in Syria or Libya, where journalists are not permitted to organize to defend their rights and interests. APN spoke about these issues with Sarah Bouchetob, Head of Projects for the Middle East and North Africa Region at the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). 
"We needed more internal coordination", says Omar Belhouchet, managing editor of the Algerian daily El Watan. "Our editorial processes needed to be consolidated, but we also needed to make sure not to stifle our ambition and energy.Two years ago, the respected Algerian 
