While there are now more than 500 Arabic and Persian news outlets reporting stories from and about the Middle East, there is currently no affordable means for English speakers to gain access to much of this content. As a result, the overwhelming majority of English speaking businesspersons, students, journalists and others who have an interest in the affairs of the region are largely unaware of what the Middle East media is covering and how they are covering these stories.
Mideastwire.com, is a new news website, that aims to close this gap by offering a daily email newsletter of concise, translated briefs covering some of the key political, cultural, economic and opinion pieces appearing in the media of the 22 Arab countries, Iran and the Arab Diaspora.
Mideast Wire was started by four journalists associated with the Daily Star in Beirut; two Americans, Nicholas Noe and Seth Walls, and two Lebanese, Majdoline Hatoum and Maha al-Azar.
They wish to play a critical role in addressing at least one element of a global disconnect that continues to threaten a wide spectrum of socio-political and economic relationships, both here in the region and beyond.
I think this is a really great idea, although it’s a shame it’s not free, as making it a paid service limits it’s reach.
I understand that they need to make money to be profitable and keep on existing, but I think they should’ve gone for free content and built their business around smart advertising solutions.
Anyways, I wish them a lot of luck.
The Arab opinion must reach the whole world, and this is one great way to make it possible.
[Via: Thysdrus]
