Great Press

e46M3
By e46M3

Why don't they just call it the (South Asian) Gulf Times.
All from yesterday's edition.
You'd think nothing else was going on in the country.

gt2

gt4b

gt6a

gt6b

gt4

gt6c

gt5

By 3Green• 15 Sep 2006 10:52
3Green

"novita77

One thing i notice ... when they report an accident, very seldom they announce what happen after that."

Exactly. Poor quality journalism, no insight or depth. This, despite the fact that most journos here are of Indian origin, and, the Indian newspapers have worldclass editorials and excellent examples of free press reporting. Eg: The Times Of India, Hindustan Time etc.

I reckon they export their rejects to Qatar who end up woking with GT. LOL.

Cheers,

Keith

By e46M3• 14 Sep 2006 09:24
e46M3

The Arabic press are always reporting crime:

Break-ins into gold shops, (armored) car robbery (an inside job, surprise surprise), a Latin American citizen breaking into a car to steel a gold-plated horseman statue, etc.

How about reporting, with pictures, on the uncivilized behavior of drivers?

Animal stories (strays)?

An old man feature...

But that requires a real press, not this junk.

By ESL Teacher• 14 Sep 2006 09:04
ESL Teacher

there is crime and such happening Qatar, you can read about it on the Peninsula--but you're right, afterwards you don't hear any updates, ie. what were the criminals convicted of, penalities, etc. I was reading about Doha's "Peeping Tom" once and he wasn't actually looking through windows, he was OPENING the windows popping his head in, looking into peoples bedrooms at night...reported in Peninsula, I would be very curious to know what happened after he was caught. There's also tons of credit card fraud happening here as well -check today's peninsula. I also like to be in the know for the various promotions that are going b/c Qatar hasn't yet begun the distribution of flyers, and there's always various specials by different air carriers that some ppl. like to keep their eye out for.

well ca la vie

By novita77• 14 Sep 2006 06:11
novita77

sorry to be so blatant, but anything local will be like Qtel earning so much profit, Doha bank win these and those awards, Qatar Airways opening new routes to here and there. Good news as always.

Is there any crime happen in Qatar? Any murder? Robbery? and other things?

One thing i notice ... when they report an accident, very seldom they announce what happen after that.

By e46M3• 13 Sep 2006 23:00
Rating: 2/5
e46M3

The only time I saw the Tribune's local pages (called the Nation) the 4 pages were comprised of TV programming and such (2 center pages) and mostly economic news.

If they get their act together and cover local news and activities properly, I agree, I'd be happy to spend my 2 riyals on it.

I see the Pen and GT regularly because I get free copies.

By ESL Teacher• 13 Sep 2006 22:34
ESL Teacher

I KNOW!!! last time I was reading the online paper under "qatar news" it was all about sub-continent issues in Qatar. Like things happening with the Indian School, Urdu this, etc. Now, nothing against our neighbours from South Asia, but I really want to know about issues in Qatar that will or may havve an affect on me and everyone else who isn't South Asian. i guess it's time to pick up the Qatar Tribune.

By e46M3• 13 Sep 2006 22:19
e46M3

These are the local Qatar pages, the first 7. Not the India or South Asia pages.

A bunch of total crap masquerading as journalism. Wow. How informative.

By killerbee_qa• 13 Sep 2006 22:01
killerbee_qa

Think our subscription rate is QR675 a year and no buy-back or whatever, but enter into some kind of raffle draw. Actually subscriptions have gone up I'm told. Delivery is free. So at QR2 per copy x 365 (yeah, no days off) = QR730 which is a saving of QR55.

Anyways, a management decision and don;'t want get into arguments with the marketing whizzes here!!!!

By tg• 13 Sep 2006 21:49
tg

Just for your info KB...Gulf News and Khaleej Times both offer Yearly subscription and refund you the full subscription amount in the form of a gift..like a DVD Player or Music System...The name of the game is to induce the advertizers with subscription figures..both are rumoured to have 80K subscribers..Since the Qatar Market is much smaller..this would not work..but if PQ comes out with subcription rewards and does free home delivery at cheaper prices..it may work...

Its not very brilliant that papers here talk about 760 QR per year as subscription charges...Yearly figures should be half of that...

By killerbee_qa• 13 Sep 2006 21:43
killerbee_qa

Dribs and drabs from advertising I suppose. Could moan and groan on pay for ages but why get depressed.

Actually in our case, the Arabic daily is carrying us in a big way.

By tg• 13 Sep 2006 21:35
Rating: 2/5
tg

How is your paper doing killer bee...Apart from the fancy building on D-ring road...What are your revenue sources..Since GT is everywhere and PQ is kind of subdued.. I am sure it has lots of financial muscle...

By killerbee_qa• 13 Sep 2006 21:29
killerbee_qa

Actually, certain schools etc take advantage bombarding papers with press releases which are irrelevant news-wise. GT caters to the audience who likes to see their kids' schools or their names in print. There are a gazillion toastmasters organizations here.

But GT does get advertising and are carrying their Arabic-language paper with the revenues.

By novita77• 13 Sep 2006 21:21
Rating: 2/5
novita77

i visited gulf times beginning of this year with Potluck Ladies Group, it is quite interesting. And still i can see the staffs from top to bottom mainly from India/Pakistan/Bangladesh/or somewhere from that area (no pun intended TG, i can't see the different in appearance), maybe one or two from ME like Jordanian, Sudanese or Syrian.

And yes sometimes i thought the put overnews about the certain school again and again. If DESS lucky maybe it is now and again.

By tg• 13 Sep 2006 21:05
Rating: 4/5
tg

I think its about target readership...The Local and international Arabic Press caters to the Arab readership and Most Western expats get their news from the net...Generally US educated prolific English speaking locals are seen carrying an Arab Newspaper in their Hand...So they are targeting their readers..the exact no. of circulation prints are never made public..but rumours are in the range of 20K..There is enough South Asian White collared crowd around...

Its the same with Dubai based papers..Even their columnists are mainly from the sub-continent...

www.gulfnews.com

www.khaleejtimes.com

The Saudi Arab News has 2 pages dedicated to India and total around 5 pages for South Asia...(Not reflected in the net edition)

www.arabnews.com

By e46M3• 13 Sep 2006 20:50
e46M3

3Green, Take away the tens of thousands of South Asian laborers who never come near the paper except to wrap something in it (and who so heavily influence the demographics) and your argument doesn't hold water.

novita77, of course you are right. So that's what a by-line is here! However it doesn't give them the right to be so insular, inward-looking and treat it as their personal fiefdom and gain favors from their community leaders.

Can't blame them though as they're allowed to get away with it by the owners.

Total crap press.

By novita77• 13 Sep 2006 20:16
novita77

i think mostly because the staffs are from that area :-)

By 3Green• 13 Sep 2006 20:03
3Green

e46m3 - Based on the current Qatarian demographics, I'm sure there's nothing wrong with that issue of Gulf Times.

Cheers,

Keith

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