Al-Akhbar, a daily newspaper that "refuses to be a collection of political statements without any clear criteria of value," according to its business editor Mohammed Zebib, stands out on the newstands in Lebanon. While the majority of newspapers have political photgraphs on the front page and a traditional format, Al-Akhbar's innovative design makes it eye catching.



Al-Akhbar, which started as a thin 24 pages daily in 2006, has now taken the format of an attractive 40 page tabloid newspaper. However, its main differentiation with other Arab publications is its content. Instead of focusing exclusively on political issues, it deals with social, cultural and economical matters.

There are other fundamental differences between al-Akhbar and the rest of the Lebanese newspapers, in terms of work structure, content and style, editorial line, and financial issues. Mohammad Zebib says that Al-Akhbar is the only Lebanese newspaper that works according to a strict layout, which requires more work and is similar to the way Western newspapers work.

The newspaper avoids using agency news and instead fills its pages with signed articles, investigations, and features. "It's a new way of doing journalism", says editor-in-chief Khaled Saghieh.

Al-Akhbar also distinguishes itself from the Arab written press with a clear separation between the financial side (advertising, marketing and finance) and the newspaper and editorial aspect.

In two years time, the daily has become the third most read newspaper in Lebanon. However, the Lebanese market is small and their readership does not reach 10,000 readers a day. Al-Akhbar claims that its online edition has over 300,000 unique visitors per month.

The daily's next project is to expand its market to Qatar in order to reach the Gulf countries.

Source: Menassat