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.
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.
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.