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.
