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| Okaz (newspaper) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Okaz |
| Type | Daily newspaper |
| Format | Broadsheet |
| Founder | Jamal Khashoggi |
| Founded | 1960 |
| Owner | Okaz Organization for Press and Publication |
| Publisher | Okaz Organization for Press and Publication |
| Language | Arabic |
| Headquarters | Jeddah |
| Circulation | 500000 |
Okaz (newspaper) is a major Arabic-language daily published in Jeddah and widely circulated across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Founded in the mid-20th century, it has played a prominent role in Saudi media, covering regional affairs including the Arab–Israeli conflict, Gulf Cooperation Council, and Arab Spring. The paper has been associated with coverage of Saudi politics, Mecca events, and cultural debates involving figures such as King Faisal and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Okaz traces its origins to the post-World War II expansion of print in the Middle East, contemporaneous with outlets like Al-Ahram, An-Nahar, and Asharq Al-Awsat. During the 1960s and 1970s it reported on milestones such as the Six-Day War, the Yom Kippur War, and the rise of OPEC, alongside regional developments in Egypt, Syria, and Iraq. In the 1980s and 1990s Okaz covered the Iran–Iraq War, the Gulf War, and the post-Cold War realignments involving United States policy and Soviet Union dissolution. The paper adapted through the 2000s to events including the September 11 attacks, the Iraq War, and the Arab Spring, expanding its reporting on Saudi socio-economic reforms tied to plans like Vision 2030.
Ownership has been centered in Saudi corporate and family structures similar to MBC Group and SRMG examples. Management has included editors with backgrounds linked to institutions such as King Abdulaziz University, King Saud University, and media training from outlets like BBC and Al Jazeera. Corporate governance aligns with regulatory bodies including the Ministry of Information (Saudi Arabia) and commercial frameworks found in entities like Saudi Aramco and Public Investment Fund. Relationships with regional conglomerates echo patterns seen at Gulf Publishing & Media and Middle East Broadcasting Center.
Editorially, the paper often reflects positions resonant with the Saudi state and conservative currents comparable to perspectives in Al Riyadh and Saudi Gazette, while occasionally featuring commentary reminiscent of international voices from The New York Times, The Guardian, and Le Monde. Coverage spans Islamic theology debates involving institutions such as Al-Azhar University and issues touching on Hajj logistics at Masjid al-Haram. Cultural pages have engaged with literature associated with authors like Naguib Mahfouz, Tayeb Salih, and Ghassan Kanafani, while business sections review corporations including Saudi Telecom Company, SABIC, and Al Rajhi Bank.
Okaz maintains distribution networks across cities including Riyadh, Dammam, Mecca, Medina, and port cities like Jeddah and Yanbu. Its print circulation and sales strategies mirror those of regional dailies such as Al Hayat and Al Watan. Distribution partnerships interface with retail chains, airport outlets at King Abdulaziz International Airport, and hotel press services used by visitors during events like Hajj and Umrah. Advertising sections feature markets studied by institutions such as International Monetary Fund and World Bank reports on the Gulf Cooperation Council economies.
The newspaper expanded into digital publication amid trends led by Google, Facebook, and Twitter influencing regional news consumption. Online editions include multimedia and social media engagement across platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and X. Digital strategy parallels transformations at outlets such as Al Jazeera English, BBC Arabic, and France 24. Archival and search functions connect with academic repositories and citation practices used in research at King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies and Prince Sultan University.
Okaz has broken or amplified stories on national milestones including royal successions involving King Abdullah and King Salman, economic initiatives linked to Vision 2030, and security developments tied to Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and Al-Qaeda. Investigative pieces have influenced public debate on urban projects like NEOM and transport schemes involving Saudi Railways Organization. Coverage of sports events, including Asian Games participants and clubs like Al-Hilal SFC, has contributed to national cultural dialogue. The paper’s reporting has been cited in analyses by think tanks such as Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Chatham House, and Brookings Institution.
Okaz has faced criticism over alignment with state positions and editorial choices similar to debates surrounding Saudi Press Agency and Al Arabiya. Specific controversies echo incidents involving press freedom discussions raised by Reporters Without Borders, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International. Coverage and op-eds attracting international scrutiny have involved diplomatic rows with countries including Iran, Qatar, and Turkey, and episodes related to social commentary sparked responses from cultural figures and intellectuals tied to universities such as King Saud University and American University of Beirut.
Category:Arabic-language newspapers Category:Newspapers published in Saudi Arabia Category:Jeddah