MEDIA MARKET DATA - World Association of Newspapers

most circulated in the province. He said the four-page newspaper was launched to providefresh and factual information to readers on daily basis. He said the daily circulation of thenewspaper would be 800. Eleven staffers have been appointed to run the paper. Speaking toPajhwok Afghan News, editor-in-chief of the newspaper Fawad Masiha said starting of anindependent and neutral newspaper was necessary for promotion of democracy in the warshatteredcountry. He said price of the paper had been set at five afghanis per copy. DailiesRooz and Pagah are the other newspapers published from Herat. Hailing the launch of thenew daily, chief of the Information and Culture Department Wali Shah Bohra said about 30publications, including dailies, weeklies and monthlies had been published from the province.He said media had a great role in informing and educating the people.http://www.pajhwak.com/viewstory.asp?lng=eng&id=12855; February 4, 2006BahreinA new Arabic newspaper, Al Waqt (The Time), was launched in Bahrain. Published by TimeMedia House and edited by Ibrahim Bashmi, Al Waqt is the eighth Arabic newspaper inBahrain. In the inaugural essay by the editor, the newspaper is described as having nopolitical allegiances. "We believe in the independence of the Press, individual freedom, andthe principles of tolerance and equality. We reject sectarianisms of all kinds," the essaydeclared.http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2006/February/middleeast_February750.xml&section=middleeast&col; 24 February 2006BhutanTwo new private newspapers, Bhutan Times and Bhutan Observer will begin publication byApril this year, according to an announcement from the information and communicationministry. The Bhutan Times will be published by Bhutan Media Services (BMS), a privatemedia service firm based in Thimphu and the Bhutan Observer will be published by KMTprinting press based in Phuentsholing. Bhutan Times will be circulated on Sundays andBhutan Observer on Fridays. Bhutan Observer will publish their newspaper both in Englishand Dzongkha and Bhutan Times will publish in English only. However, within a year fromits launch, Bhutan Times will also have to publish in Dzongkha, said an official from theministry of information and communication. A selection committee formed under the ministryselected the two private firms after going through about 10 variables including professionalcompetency, public service agreement, editorial independence from ownership, frequency ofpublishing, coverage density plan, and diversity of content among others. Speaking toKuensel the information and communication minister, Lyonpo Leki Dorji, said that theprivate newspapers will be solely owned by Bhutanese and published in Bhutan. “They arefree enterprises and there is no government commitment or subsidies,” Lyonpo Leki Dorjitold Kuensel. “The two private newspapers will encourage competition among newspapercompanies, and like in all other services, customers will benefit from better services andvalue,” he said. “Newspapers will play an important role once the draft Constitution isendorsed in 2008,” he said, adding that the media was indispensable in educating andinforming people after the change in the political system. “Private newspapers are encouragedto improve coverage,” said Lyonpo Leki Dorji. Meanwhile, the draft Media Act will besubmitted in the forthcoming National Assembly session in June for endorsement.http://www.kuenselonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=6504; February1, 200614