Abdullah Bouftain: Kuwait Times celebrates 65 years of leadership
Al-Kuwait Times will celebrate its 65th anniversary next Thursday, marking six decades of a distinguished media journey intertwined with Kuwait’s modern renaissance. The newspaper has chronicled the nation’s phases of construction, development, and economic and social transformation from the early 1960s to the present day.
For more than six decades since the first edition was published on September 24, 1961, and printed at Al-Maqawi Press by the late Yusuf Saleh Al-Alayan, the founding honorary president of the Kuwait Press Association, may God have mercy on him, Al-Kuwait Times has become the first daily English-language newspaper in Kuwait and the Arab Gulf region. It stands as one of the region’s leading media institutions, a witness to the country’s developmental trajectory and the evolution of its institutions and bodies, as well as to Kuwait’s regional and international presence.
Between a rich heritage and aspirations for the future, the anniversary arrives as Al-Kuwait Times continues its journey of transformation and renewal. It draws upon its esteemed journalistic legacy while upholding its core mission: delivering professional, reliable journalism that reflects the image of Kuwait and meets the expectations of its audience.
A Reason for Pride
Abdullah Subih Bofatin, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Al-Kuwait Times, stated that the 65th anniversary is a reason to take pride in the history of a pioneering national media institution. Since its inception, the newspaper has played a role that extends beyond simply publishing a daily paper; it has served as Kuwait’s window to the world and a bridge for communication between Kuwait and English-speaking communities.
He added that Al-Kuwait Times has documented the state’s renaissance and conveyed it to the world through news, reports, and journalistic stories over the past decades. Alongside other national media peers, it has helped introduce the world to the country’s history, institutions, and culture. Meanwhile, it has maintained its professional mission despite global changes in the media and journalism industries, particularly following the artificial intelligence revolution. Al-Kuwait Times will continue to fulfill its mission and keep pace with the state’s journey and future aspirations under the wise leadership of His Highness Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad, the Amir of Kuwait.
Bofatin continued, noting that in recent years, Al-Kuwait Times has undergone a comprehensive institutional transformation in content, work environment, and digital presence, which has strengthened its media footprint and expanded its audience. “We have been careful not to let the newspaper live off its past; rather, we have invested in that history to build its future,” he said.
A Distinct Identity
Bofatin clarified that this transformation included investing in content production. The institution now features three distinct studio spaces, alongside the development of original content, programs, and journalistic stories that give Al-Kuwait Times a unique identity that transcends the traditional model of a daily newspaper.
He pointed out that this comprehensive transformation has been reflected in the newspaper’s distribution, content, financial performance, and market value. This has occurred in parallel with the development of products and content and the diversification of revenue sources, contributing to achieving the desired sustainability and maintaining the print edition alongside digital expansion. This stands in contrast to global media institutions that have ceased printing in favor of electronic publishing only.
He added, “Commercial and advertising content has become an important part of media sustainability today. However, our responsibility is to maintain a balance between commercial sustainability and genuine journalism, providing content that holds value for the reader and society.”
Kuwait’s Memory
Bofatin affirmed that the changes were grounded in the newspaper’s history and archives. The Al-Kuwait Times headquarters on the historic Press Street houses a rich archive containing previous editions of the newspaper, documenting the political, economic, social, sports, and cultural events that Kuwait has witnessed over 65 years.
He noted that in recent years, the institution has worked to revive this heritage, whether by dedicating a befitting space for the archive within its headquarters, through its archive account that reintroduces pages, photos, and stories from the past to new generations, or through special editions that have brought the print newspaper back into the hands of the younger generation.
“The archive is not merely old folders; it is part of the nation’s memory. Our responsibility as a media institution is not just to preserve it, but to reintroduce it and revive its stories for successive generations,” he said.
Creative Hub
Bofatin explained that the transformation extended beyond content and platforms to converting the newspaper’s headquarters into a vibrant, comfortable, and attractive work environment. “We have gradually transformed the headquarters into a Creative Hub; an incubator for creativity and content production that brings together journalism, training, and community engagement. It attracts a new generation of journalists, photographers, talents, and young writers, and opens its pages and content to support artists and athletes, while keeping its doors open to school and university students and specialists,” he said.
He continued, “We take pride in the fact that young people enter Al-Kuwait Times as students, trainees, and visitors, and leave with a different perspective on journalism. Some discover here their desire to make media and journalism part of their future.”
The 65th anniversary coincides with the fifth anniversary of Al-Kuwait Times’ Summer Program, which has become one of the institution’s prominent annual initiatives, attracting significant interest from young people eager to learn about media work from the inside.
Bofatin stated that the program is not merely a corporate social responsibility initiative, but a practical experience that contributes to preparing a new generation to learn genuine journalism, professional ethics, story crafting, photography, content creation, and working within a newsroom.
A New Generation Leads
Bofatin affirmed that the renewal also encompassed the institution’s culture and leadership, through empowering youth and giving them greater space for initiative and decision-making, alongside the active presence of female professionals in leadership positions and their contribution to the institution’s management and success.
“We believe that an institution seeking to sustain itself cannot tie its success to specific individuals. We must create a new generation and give them the confidence and space to experiment, learn, and lead,” he said.
He emphasized that the rapid transformations in the media industry and changing audience habits do not pose a threat to Al-Kuwait Times’ heritage, but rather serve as a catalyst for further renewal and investment in platforms, original content, and new technologies, while upholding journalistic values of accuracy, credibility, and responsibility.
Bofatin concluded by saying, “Today, we celebrate a history we are proud of, but our ambition does not stop at preserving what has been achieved. Tools change, platforms change, and audiences change; therefore, Al-Kuwait Times will continue to evolve with them. We are grateful to every journalist, photographer, employee, and colleague who has passed through this place over the past 65 years and left a mark. Our responsibility today is to add to what they built and to hand over to the next generation a stronger, younger, more open institution, capable of shaping its future and bearing its national and social responsibilities. We are also grateful to our readers, followers, and everyone who has shared this journey with us.”
Open to Readers and Officials
On the occasion of Al-Kuwait Times’ founding anniversary, the institution will open its doors, offices, printing press, and studios to all followers, readers, colleagues, and officials next Thursday, September 24, during the evening hours. This will allow them to get up close with our team, work environment, history, transformation story, and future vision.
