Al Rai celebrates 43rd anniversary

AMMAN –– Al Rai newspaper celebrated its 43rd anniversary on Monday, with plans to improve its print and digital products, boost revenues and increase reader and advertiser satisfaction.

Published upon a Cabinet decision on May 18, 1971 as a government-owned newspaper, the first issue of Al Rai hit newsstands on June 2 of the same year. 

The newspaper is the most widely read daily in the Kingdom and enjoys the largest market share of advertisements.

Commenting on the history of the newspaper –– which is part of the Jordan Press Foundation (JPF) that also publishes The Jordan Times — Al Rai Chief Editor Samir Hiyari said the newspaper was established with a message to defend Jordan’s national causes. 

“Al Rai is a newspaper for the people, the country and the political system,” Hiyari said in an interview with The Jordan Times. “We are proud of our journalism mission.”

Responding to a question on why some people consider the daily as a mouthpiece for the government, he said Al Rai defends the policies of Jordan and not the government, citing last year’s month-long protests by journalists and employees against government intervention in the newspaper. 

In a rare move, Al Rai and The Jordan Times observed a one-day strike, with no issues published on November 11, 2013, Hiyari noted, adding that both newspapers also boycotted news related to Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour’s government for a week. 

“It is an independent and free newspaper, but it remains part of the country’s institutions that work to protect the Kingdom’s interests and highlight its achievements,” he said. 

Credibility  

Al Rai would never lose its credibility among readers, the chief editor said, commenting on criticism of the daily’s stance on certain issues, such as the Muslim Brotherhood’s differences with the government. 

“Reality shows the opposite, because Al Rai had the most influence on the public regarding some important issues,” he said, adding that the newspaper also remained the largest in Jordan in terms of distribution and advertisement market.   

Future plans

The chief editor noted that the JPF is working on developing the content and approach of the newspaper to become one of the top professional media outlets not only in Jordan but also in the region. 

There are plans to improve the content and the shape of the newspaper, in addition to giving more attention to the website to compete with the electronic media “revolution” in Jordan, noted Hiyari, who has been working at Al Rai for 35 years.

Print media worldwide has been facing financial troubles due to digital media, but the current JPF management is capable of drawing up marketing and business plans that would help the foundation overcome monetary problems. 

Workforce  

Hiyari acknowledged that there are too many employees at the newspaper, which he blamed on former administrations that put “quantity before quality”, noting the large number of staff members, estimated at over 700, has drained the financial resources of the organisation.  

The management is working to find a solution for this issue without affecting the social and financial benefits of its employees, he said. 

History  

The main objective for establishing Al Rai was to defend the interests of Jordan and its political system and to confront risks that could threaten the stability of the Kingdom, Hiyari said.

From the very start, Al Rai proved to be a comprehensive and public-oriented newspaper, serving the interests of all Jordanians and Arabs. 

In addition to its role as a daily political newspaper and in the absence of local magazines at the time, Al Rai has played the role of a newspaper and magazine at the same time covering all aspects of public and social life, he noted.

Distinguished for its well-documented and wide coverage of events aided by a network of correspondents in Arab and foreign countries, Al Rai provides its readers with news reports, pictures, features and commentaries, dedicating pages for the economy, culture and politics, society, sciences and sports events.

The daily is also giving due attention to issues of concern to the public, in addition to relaying readers’ ideas, demands and views to the concerned authorities and following up on them, according to its chief editor.