AMMAN -- A decision to reduce the number of Al Rai columnists from 53 to 8 to reduce annual expenses drew a lukewarm response from several Jordanians on Sunday.
While some were happy with the columnists retained by the newspaper, others, mostly young readers, said they only care about the quality of the articles, not the names of the writers.
"I read in the news that Al Rai kept Saleh Qallab and Fahed Fanek. I like reading their articles, and I do not care about other columnists," Younes Daoud, 75, told The Jordan Times on Sunday.
Fares Shteiwi, a salesman at an advertising company, said he only reads columns by Ahmad Hassan Al Zoubi.
"I like his light and entertaining articles. I don't know any of the columnists at Al Rai except for this one," the 28-year-old added.
The Arabic daily's decision went into effect on Sunday, its chief editor, Samir Hiyari, told The Jordan Times, noting that the measure will save the newspaper JD500,000 per year.
Al Rai retained eight columnists, including the most senior writers -- Fanek and Tareq Masarweh -- and those whose articles are most read -- Zoubi and Abdul Hadi Raji Majali.
In addition to Qallab, Mohammad Kharroub, Rana Shawar and Raja Talab will continue to write for the newspaper.
Last week, the Jordan Press Foundation's new board of directors held its first meeting after a month-long protest by JPF employees ended.
The board, chaired by former media affairs minister Samih Maaytah, decided to task the foundation's editorial board with taking the appropriate decision regarding the columnists of Al Rai and The Jordan Times dailies to save around JD500,000 annually.
Tamara, Um Ahmad, said she was "sad" that they ended the contract of columnist Taher Odwan, a former media minister who also worked as Al Arab Al Yawm's chief editor.
"I used to read his analyses and good articles. I am sad he left," she said.
Many commended the move to reduce the number of columnists.
Shorouq Hilal, a civil servant, described the newspaper's decision as "very courageous and smart".
"I used to read Salameh Darawi's columns. Although he is out now, I can still read his articles on some websites. Regardless, this was a very good move that will save about half a million dinars. I think this is the right decision," Hilal said.
"I am happy they kept Fanek and Zoubi. I read both their articles," he added.
Alaa Salman, a secretary at a law office, agreed.
"I only read Zoubi's articles online as they are humorous and I like them. I don't buy newspapers," the 26-year-old said over the phone, adding that he does not know any other Al Rai columnist and does not care about "politics or economy".
"I care about social issues, and Zoubi writes satirically about these issues," he added.
"What matters to me is a good article, regardless of the name. But I think it is sad that they terminated the contracts of so many people," Salman said.
Khalil Dhiab, who has been Al Rai reader for more than 20 years, said he only read articles by Fanek
"I am glad they kept him... Whenever I need to know more about the economy, taxes and what is happening in town at the economic level, I read his columns. I don't care about the rest and I don't know their names," Dhiab noted.
"The majority of the columns in Al Rai over the past years were meaningless, repetitive and a waste of time. Also, many talk about what is happening in the region, not in Jordan," he added.
"They also seem to be a waste of money, because I heard that the newspaper will save about JD500,000 a year. This shows that those columnists were not needed at all," Dhiab said.
© Jordan Times 2013
