The Print Media
Kuwait takes pride in its press, which it regards as
a democratic form of freedom of expression. Kuwait has a
thriving and largely successful print media industry.
The print media is as multi-lingual and cosmopolitan as
the people of Kuwait are. English, Arabic even French
newspapers and magazines catch a reader’s fancy.
Kuwaiti press
houses have become large informational and commercial
establishments. Printing presses are no longer satisfied
with printing only their daily newspaper. They have
embarked on parallel operations, carrying out all the
functions of commercial printing presses. The Kuwaiti
press occupies an important place among the Arab press.
It plays an outstanding role in informing public opinion
and participating in building modern Kuwait.
The press is not
restricted to the officially licensed newspapers and
magazines; it extends to a wide range of high-quality
magazines published by organisations, establishments,
companies, banks, syndicates, federations and
corporations. Many are distributed free of charge.
Much of the print media receives financial support from
the government. Although the constitution guarantees
freedom of the press, this right has often been
suspended. In 1992 print restrictions were relaxed on
the condition that the media sources monitor themselves.
Direct criticism of the emir, however, is still
prohibited.
Seven daily
newspapers are issued in Kuwait: Al-Rai Al-Aam (Public
Opinion), Al-Seyassah (Politics), Al-Qabas (The Torch),
Al-Watan (The Native Land) and Al-Anbaa (The News) are
Arabic papers; Arab Times and Kuwait Times are printed
in English. Kuwait Times publishes 16 special pages for
the expatriate community; eight in Malayalam and eight
in Urdu. Notably one weekly opposition paper
representing the more liberal left has existed for over
30 years.
According to recent
statistics, the total number of magazine and newspapers
published from Kuwait is approximately 220, specialising
in different fields of life: political, social, medical,
sports, educational, literary, technical, scientific,
oil, agricultural, legal, children, transport,
etc. Kuwait houses offices of Kuwaiti journalists,
associations, Arab and foreign news agencies, press and
radio stations.
The Ministry of
Information produces a group of specialised publications
- books, periodicals and other informative items. Some
of these are the Facts & Figures, Annual Year Book,
Official Gazette, Al-Arabi, etc. It produces material
for special occasions - posters, folders, stickers,
calendars, brochures, cards and post cards.
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