A Different Drummer

There has been a couple of good stories published recently in the UK press about the new Abu Dhabi newspaper and its boss, former Telegraph editor Martin Newland. For all those who keep asking me about my new job, check them out:

Bridging the Gulf with grand aims and a huge budget (Guardian, most interesting of the lot)

Media firm rises in desert (Times)

Coming Out Party in the UAE (Sky, with video)

From the Times piece:

“The timing is right, too. We’ve caught the mood. You can smell the opportunity here when you get off the plane. This is the place to be right now. It just oozes potential. We’ve got a hell of a good chance of pulling off something great.”

In spite of government ownership, he dismisses suggestions that he will be browbeaten into censoring coverage. He insists that ministers have encouraged him to challenge state bodies.

“Nobody has told me what I can and cannot do. In fact, government figures are on record as saying: ‘Test us. We’ve given you a dagger. Now use it.’ I intend to.”

He claims that previously taboo subjects will make it on to the front page, including stories about money-laundering that could damage investor confidence. “I want to push forward some barriers and push some things out there that are not being properly or robustly discussed,” he said.

Interesting stuff....