On a mission to serve the nation and the readers: Deputy Managing Editor

The first issue of The Peninsula newspaper was published on this day 25 years ago, and many journalists working today have witnessed the publication of first edition. Throughout these years each one of them has added something to the building block foundation which was laid on March 9, 1996, to reach what the paper has obtained now in terms of progress and achievements that make everyone proud of his/her contribution. 

The story of the development of the peninsula has kept pace with the economic development and the comprehensive renaissance witnessed by the State of Qatar in the past 25 years. This proves that the project of the newspaper then was right decision necessary to the market needs and the social and economic changes that accompanied the comprehensive development of the country.

Like other important projects that are planned to achieve long term targets, The Peninsula has set its sights on specific goals and objectives, to convey the media and national message. The newspaper has constantly witnessed re-launching to appear with a new design and style, improve quality of content, and meet evolving needs and demands of its readers.

As an English newspaper in an Arab country, where most of its news are in Arabic, it needed professionals not only to compete with rivals, but also understand the details of the multicultural and social environment in which the daily serves to respect the values, customs and traditions of society. Having bilingual journalists was also an advantage that benefited the newspaper and gave it flexibility and ability to access news in various languages from different sources. 

During the past five years, the newspaper witnessed a qualitative leap in many aspects under its Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Khaled Al Shafi. Organisationally, its divisions were restructured, sections were split and new ones were established and staff reshuffled to get rid of administrative slack and improve productivity. Two sections, local news desk and business desk, were established separately, and a bureau for online news was established with provision of necessary manpower and technical support.

This was a necessary step in light of the great importance that modern media and social media are enjoying, due to their ability to provide breaking news, and easy access at any moment. All these features do not exist in traditional media.
The role of journalists covering events has also been strengthened, in line with the qualitative and quantitative increase in local news coverage.

Although the number of staff has reduced compared to previous years, the quality of work and achievements accomplished indicate the efficiency of the staff working in it. Numbers are not always a big hurdle or a condition for success, but rather effectiveness of administration system and policies applied are key element, and what the newspaper has achieved during the past five years is the best proof to this.

Journalism is a tiring profession as readers await every day new developments different from what they have been serviced before. It is also an interesting profession, because everyday journalists stand for this challenge and meet these needs of different readers and thus contribute to the knowledge and the process of nation building. The Peninsula understands this mission very well.