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Summary of answers to a query on LIS-PUB-LIBS list
cc. D.C.C. staff
Very many thanks to all those who gave extremely helpful advice on this matter.
As a brief summary, it would seem that Al Hayat is a firm favourite. Other suggestions are: Al-Quds; Al-Majalla (weekly); Nimrooz; Asharq-al-Awsat.
Tim Saunders addressed my main concern by providing the assurance that "Arabic newspapers are printed in the standard literary language, and so are accessible to people from all Arabophone countries"
The difficulty of supply was highlighted, resulting in at least one authority relying on the Internet. I am assured, however, that Al Hayat and Al-Majalla, at least, might be obtained from the publisher:
H. H. Saudi Research and Marketing (UK) Ltd.,
Arab Press House,
184 High Holborn,
London.
WC1V 7AP
Tel. 020 7831 8181
Respondents believed that users were satisfied with the newspapers supplied, although an important qualification to this is that users of satellite TV news in one area apparently saw no need to consult newspapers at all.
A number of correspondents identified the media link Kidon:
http://www.kidon.com/media-link/index.shtml
for apparently free access to various newspapers, including Al-Hayat. This service rather disconcertingly has a banner on the homepage, which states "There's a name for people who avoid paying". Don't be deterred by this, it's simply an advert for British Gas!
Hope this helps anyone else considering Arabic newspapers. I also hope that I have fairly, comprehensively and accurately summarised the various comments, with any mistakes undoubtedly being my own.
Regards
David Kett
*****************************
David Kett [log in to unmask]
Senior Library and Information Officer
Central Library
Wellgate
Dundee
DD1 1DB
+44 (0)1382 434154 / 434642 (fax.)
http://www.wighton.sol.co.uk/
http://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/photodb/
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