By Baraka Al-Jassar (with photos) DUBAI, Oct 28 (KUNA) -- The three Kuwaiti newspapers of Al-Watan, Al-Rai and Al-Anbaa clinched advanced standings in the list issued here Thursday by the Arabic-speaking Forbes Middle East for the top 50 Arab papers online for 2010.
The editor-in-chief of Forbes Middle East Khuloud Al Omian said in a contact with KUNA today that the Kuwaiti newspaper of Al-Watan was ranked first in Kuwait and second in the Arab world, while Al-Rai was ranked eighth in the Arab world and Al-Anbaa clinched the 39th spot at the Arab level in the list, the first of its kind in the Middle East region.
She added Forbes Middle East revealed that the top-ranked newspaper online was the Egyptian "Al Youm Al-Sabea", while Ech-Chourouk was ranked first in Algeria, Al-Riyadh clinched the top spot in Saudi Arabia, Gulf News was ranked first in Emirates, Al-Ghad was ranked first in Jordan, Al-Akhbar was ranked first in Lebanon and Al-Wasat was ranked first in Bahrain.
Forbes Middle East compiled this list according to the Forbes methodology of scientific research. Forbes has always highlighted the importance of the role that media play in raising awareness and educating communities in economic and social development, she explained.
Forbes Middle East has closely monitored the achievements of Arab, English and French newspapers published throughout the MENA region and their transition to digital media. This is measured by the presence of these newspapers online, their content and the online following that they generate, the editor-in-chief pointed out.
She added that Forbes Middle East chose the top ranked newspapers of the list in accordance with the best 200 websites in every Arab country with the help of Alexa website, which is known for providing data on the standings of global websites, and is subsidiary of Amazon website that was established in 1996 in the United States.
She made clear that the Arab Publisher Publishing House, owner of the rights of publishing U.S. Forbes in the Middle East and Northern Africa held last night dinner banquent for top journalistic figures on the occasion of launching the premiere publication of "Forbes Middle East", which is in Arabic and caters to the interests of investors and business people in the Middle East region.
The ceremony was attended by Dr. Nasser Al Tayyar, President of Arab Publisher House, Robert Forbes, Vice President of 'Forbes' and Tom Wolf, Forbes Senior International Adviser.
In addition, a large number of editors-in-chief from leading Arab newspapers were invited as well as 200 chairmen and CEOs of companies in the public and private sectors from the UAE and other Arab countries.
The Forbes Middle East, which is headquartered in Dubai, will launch its website within few months along with an English edition with a special website as well.
Forbes Media possesses the top-ranked global website in the field of economic media with a number of visitors amounting to 18 million monthly, and it issues the magazines of "Forbes" and "Forbes Asia" with a total readership of about 6 million. (end).
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