Arab Editors: Digital transformation, credibility and sustainability will shape journalism’s future

Editors of leading Arab newspapers said the future of journalism is no longer tied solely to print editions. Instead, it depends on the ability of media organisations to keep pace with digital transformation, develop content, maintain credibility and build sustainable financial models. They noted that these challenges come amid rapid changes in reading habits and advertising markets. The views were shared during the session, "The Future of Arab Press as Seen by the Editors-in-Chief," held as part of the Arab Media Summit. The discussion was moderated by Ibrahim Shukrallah, Editor-in-Chief of Emirates Today. Participants included Hamed Bin Karam, Editor-in-Chief of Al Bayan; Waleed Al-Nusif, Editor-in-Chief of Kuwait's Al-Qabas; Majed Mounir, Editor-in-Chief of Egypt's Al-Ahram; and Raed Barqawi, Executive Editor-in-Chief of Al Khaleej. Hamed Bin Karam, Editor-in-Chief of Al Bayan, said the future of journalism rests on three interconnected pillars: editorial excellence, technology and financial sustainability. He noted that the closure of a number of print newspapers in the region and around the world has made financial sustainability a core issue for media organisations. He added that major media institutions may require financial support from their boards or other entities while exploring new revenue models. He said Gulf and Arab media organisations were relatively late in embracing technological transformation and capitalising on the opportunities offered by digital platforms and social media. This allowed institutions and individuals to capture a larger share of the advertising market, creating direct challenges for traditional newspapers. He stressed the need to redefine journalism so that journalists become influential regardless of whether they publish in print, on websites or through social media platforms. The Al Bayan editor-in-chief said digital platforms provide more accurate data on audience interests, the most-read content and the time readers spend consuming material. These insights help media organisations tailor content to audience preferences, increase engagement and improve revenue opportunities. He noted that Al Bayan's digital platforms recorded more than one billion views from the start of the year to the end of last month, with an average reading time of two minutes and 40 seconds. He said such indicators provide stronger tools for engaging advertisers and demonstrating the value of digital content. He said the closure of print newspapers across the region, including announcements ending print editions, reflects the scale of change facing the industry. He warned that failing to advance in digital publishing and audience engagement would reduce the influence of media organisations. He called for restructuring news organisations to align with the realities of the new media landscape. He noted that around 20% of Al Bayan's workforce is focused on digital operations, while about 80% remains dedicated to the print edition, which no longer generates the desired revenues. This, he said, requires redeploying human resources to areas that can create content and generate income. Hamed Bin Karam said the future of journalism goes beyond the shift from print to screens. It also requires redefining the role of the journalist. Journalists must be able to create reliable and engaging content, understand their audiences and use technology and artificial intelligence without losing their professional skills. He added that young people entering the profession should not limit themselves to a single platform. Instead, they should strive to be influential journalists across print, digital and social media. He said future success will be defined by a journalist's impact rather than the platform on which content is published. Digital transformation is no longer optional Waleed Al-Nusif, Editor-in-Chief of Kuwait's Al-Qabas, said digital transformation has become essential for the survival of newspapers. He noted that any print newspaper without a digital platform faces significant challenges. He said Al-Qabas began its digital transformation journey in 2020 and that the move from print to digital happened faster than expected. The shift had a major impact on society, audience behaviour and advertising markets. Print circulation fell by 46% while online readership expanded across Kuwait, the Gulf and the wider Middle East. He said the newspaper is working to maximise the strengths of its print heritage, particularly in verifying information and delivering deeper analysis. This helps compensate for the speed advantage enjoyed by digital platforms. He also noted that several Gulf newspapers have closed their print editions and moved entirely to digital publishing. He stressed that the shift towards digital journalism is irreversible and that reliance on print will continue to decline. Newspapers that fail to strengthen their digital presence will face increasing challenges. He said the journalist of the futu