GN&M launches Arab-language news service

by Harriet Dennys, mediaweek.co.uk 19-Dec-08, 12:10

LONDON - Guardian News & Media is launching a news wire serving the Arab region in the first quarter of next year.

The Arab-language news service will be provided through Dar Al Sharq Integrated Media House, based in Qatar, which will translate up to 15 stories per day for use by media outlets in the Middle East region.

Tim Brooks, managing director of Guardian News & Media, said the move was in line with the company’s aims to become the world’s leading liberal voice, building on the launch of the Guardian America website in October 2007.

Brooks ruled out further launches in 2009, but said further international expansion is planned for 2010.

He said: We are interested in Anglophone markets, growth markets, and those with no strong tradition of free press.

Earlier this month, Guardian News & Media appointed Caroline Little as chief executive of its North America operations. The appointment followed a series of moves strengthening the GN&M brand in the US.

In July, GN&M acquired ContentNext, owner of digital media news site paidContent, for an estimated £15m. And in October 2007, it launched Guardian America, a news website dedicated to its growing US audience.