Journalism During the Reign of King Abdulaziz

Journalism During the Reign of King Abdulaziz refers to print media during the reign of the Founding King Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud. It emerged in the urban centers of the western part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, known as Al-Hejaz, and from there spread to the capital Riyadh (Najd), and later to the eastern region (Dhahran). It was largely dominated by religious, literary, cultural, and social issues. The reign of King Abdulaziz witnessed the establishment of the first administrative frameworks and regulations governing journalism and publications.

Journalism in Al-Hejaz before the Reign of King Abdulaziz

The two holy cities, Makkah Al-Mukarramah and Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, were familiar with journalism before the establishment of the Third Saudi State. In Makkah Al-Mukarramah, Al-Hejaz weekly newspaper appeared in 1908. It consisted of four pages in Arabic and Turkish (its Turkish edition carried the title Hejaz). It was printed by the Vilayet Press and served as an official newspaper. Later, other newspapers were issued but did not last long, stopping after only a few issues, such as Shams Al-Haqiqah weekly, which was first published in 1909 in both Arabic and Turkish, and Al-Islah Al-Hejazi weekly, printed at Al-Islah Press, in addition to Al-Safa Newspaper.

In 1909, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah witnessed the launch of Al-Raqeeb and Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah Newspapers, but both soon ceased publication. Likewise, Al-Hejaz Newspaper did not last long. Initially issued three times a week, it later became a daily. In Makkah Al-Mukarramah City, Al-Qiblah Newspaper was issued in 1916, twice a week, along with Al-Falah, with both continuing publication for several months. In 1924, Bareed Al-Hejaz Newspaper was issued. It was published twice a week in Arabic. That period also witnessed the release of the first specialized magazine, Jaroul Agricultural Monthly Magazine, issued in 1920 by the students of Jaroul Agricultural School in Makkah Al-Mukarramah. It ceased after the publication of three issues.

Journalism during the reign of King Abdulaziz in Makkah Al-Mukarramah

After the Founding King Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud annexed western part of Saudi Arabia, several newspapers were issued. The first was the official weekly newspaper Umm Al-Qura, published on December 11, 1924. It was initially issued in four pages, later increasing in number. It did not restrict itself to official statements and news but also published literary, cultural, social, and political articles. In 1932, Sawt Al-Hejaz was launched, a newspaper focusing on literary issues. Both newspapers were issued in Makkah Al-Mukarramah. While the first continues publication to this day, the second ceased. Two magazines also began publication and continue to this day. The first is Al-Manhal, a monthly magazine concerned with literary, educational, and reformist issues. It is a literary, cultural, and heritage publication. The first issue appeared in 1937 in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, later moving to Makkah Al-Mukarramah and then Jeddah. The second is Al-Hajj magazine (now Hajj and Umrah Magazine), launched in 1947, which focused on publishing religious and literary articles. Other magazines included Al-Islah, launched in 1928, a bi-monthly religious, scientific, social, and ethical magazine of twenty-four pages, and Al-Nidaa Al-Islami, first issued in 1937, a monthly religious, social, and historical magazine of forty pages, published in both Arabic and Malay. After World War II, Al-Bilad Al-Saudiah Newspaper was issued, becoming the first Saudi daily newspaper, along with Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah Newspaper in 1937.

Journalism during the reign of King Abdulaziz in other cities

The appearance of newspapers during the reign of the Founding King Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud was not limited to Makkah Al-Mukarramah, as other cities also witnessed the issuance of several newspapers. In Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah Newspaper resumed publication. From Jeddah, Chamber of Commerce Magazine was issued. Towards the end of the reign of King Abdulaziz, in 1953, Al-Yamamah magazine (initially named Al-Riyadh) was launched in Riyadh. It was issued by scholar Hamad Al-Jasser as a comprehensive monthly literary and cultural magazine and continues publication today under the Al-Yamamah Press Establishment. In Dhahran, 1954 saw the launch of Qafilat Al-Zayt (The Oil Caravan) magazine, published by Aramco, in addition to Shams, an English-language newspaper.

Directorate of Publications and Intelligence during the Reign of King Abdulaziz

On August 6, 1926, the Founding King Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud established the Directorate of Publications and Intelligence, with the aim of regulating the growing number of media outlets by creating an administrative body to organize the various means of publishing and determine their source. The leadership of the newly created body was entrusted to Yusuf Yassin. In matters of foreign intelligence, the Directorate reported directly to King Abdulaziz, while in matters of domestic intelligence, it was linked to his deputy in Al-Hejaz, Prince Faisal Bin Abdulaziz.

Publications regulations during the reign of King Abdulaziz

The reign of the Founding King Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud witnessed the issuance of two Publications Regulations in 1928 and 1939. The first regulation specified the authority to which an application for a newspaper license should be submitted, which was the Office of the Public Deputy based in Makkah Al-Mukarramah. The Public Deputy, Prince Faisal Bin Abdulaziz, would forward the application to King Abdulaziz, who would then decide on it. Both regulations contributed to establishing journalism, which was then a nascent profession in Saudi society, and to laying the organizational foundations of journalistic work. Decisions were also issued exempting newspapers from insurance and postal fees, and exempting printing presses from customs duties on paper.