Saudi Gazette has won the award for Best Website Relaunch at the 2026 Middle East Digital Media Awards, organized by WAN-IFRA. The judges described the project as a 'great digital transformation.' Winners were selected by a panel of experts from the largest international journalism organization, based on criteria including information verification, audience engagement, innovation, and overall value across the region.
Owned by the Okaz Organization for Press and Publishing, Saudi Gazette was honored for its success in transforming a 50-year-old brand into a modern digital platform with high performance and a focus on mobile. The relaunch was officially launched by Sheikh Abdullah Saleh Kamel, head of the Okaz Organization, in January 2026 as part of a broader digital transformation strategy, leading to a 40% improvement in website loading times and a 38% increase in session duration on mobile devices, along with significantly higher click rates in key sections such as Saudi and World News.
Event Details
The judging panel noted that 'this is a great digital transformation that invites reading and has improved editorial publishing.' As one of the oldest English-language newspapers in the Kingdom, Saudi Gazette has demonstrated its ability to adapt in the rapidly changing digital media landscape by addressing ongoing technical challenges related to speed, search engine optimization performance, and user engagement. The new platform features a design based on images and integrated day and night viewing modes, providing a smoother and more visually appealing reading experience that encourages deeper interaction with the content.
Jamil Al-Thiyabi, editor-in-chief of Okaz and general supervisor of Saudi Gazette, stated that the award reflects the newspaper's commitment to digital innovation while maintaining its editorial identity and heritage. He explained that 'this recognition is the result of the work invested in transforming Saudi Gazette into a modern digital platform that aligns with global publishing standards while preserving its journalistic mission and historical standing.' Al-Thiyabi added that this achievement was made possible by the full support of Sheikh Abdullah Saleh Kamel, the head of the Okaz Organization, and the efforts of the editorial, technical, and administrative teams at the newspaper, along with the continuous follow-up from the editor of Saudi Gazette, Anas Al-Yousef.
Background & Context
Founded in 1976, Saudi Gazette was one of the first English-language newspapers in Saudi Arabia. Over the years, the newspaper has faced numerous challenges amid rapid developments in digital media, prompting it to reassess its strategies to meet the growing needs of its audience. The digital transformation experienced by the newspaper reflects the overall trend in the media industry towards innovation and adaptation to technological changes.
The WAN-IFRA Awards are among the most prestigious in the media field, honoring institutions that excel in innovation and audience engagement. This year, the awards highlighted newspapers that have managed to face challenges and pressures, reflecting the resilience and adaptability of media institutions in a complex environment.
Impact & Consequences
Winning the Best Website Relaunch award is a significant step in enhancing Saudi Gazette's status as one of the leading media outlets in the Kingdom. This achievement not only reflects the newspaper's success in digital transformation but also underscores the importance of innovation in maintaining the standing of media institutions in the information age. Digital transformation can contribute to increasing the readership base and enhancing interaction with content, leading to improved financial performance for the newspaper.
Moreover, this success can serve as a model for other newspapers in the region, as they can benefit from Saudi Gazette's experiences in digital transformation and apply similar strategies to enhance their performance.
Regional Significance
The experience of Saudi Gazette is part of a broader trend towards digital transformation in Arab media. With the increasing use of the internet and social media, media institutions in the region must adapt to these changes to meet the growing needs of their audience. The success of Saudi Gazette can encourage more media institutions to invest in digital transformation, thereby enhancing the quality of media content and increasing audience engagement.
In conclusion, Saudi Gazette's win of the Best Website Relaunch award is an important achievement that reflects the newspaper's commitment to innovation and digital transformation, further solidifying its position in the Saudi and Arab media landscape.