AMMAN - Newspapers face a difficult decision during the Eid Al Fitr holiday, a time during which sales are low and there is limited news to cover in the Kingdom, with only one Arabic daily to be in circulation throughout the entire holiday this year.
Al Rai newspaper will continue to be published throughout the four-day Eid Al Fitr holiday out of its "professional and social commitment towards its readers", the daily's Editor-in-Chief Abdul Wahab Zgheilat said on Saturday.
"It is important to keep our readers updated with the latest news considering the relentless political developments in the region," Zgheilat told The Jordan Times yesterday.
Al Rai will be the only daily in print during the entire Eid holiday, which starts today and ends on Wednesday, according to Zgheilat, who added that the decision was taken by the newspaper's editorial department and administration without the consultation of other dailies.
Although advertisements will be light during the holiday season, Zgheilat stressed that it is not all about profits, but rather providing readers with the latest news.
"We can always offset the losses throughout the year," he added.
However, some journalists said they are entitled to spend the Eid holiday with their families, not reporting or editing.
Omar Maharmeh from Ad Dustour daily told The Jordan Times on Saturday that the countries' major dailies should coordinate with each other in regards to working days during the holiday seasons.
"They can agree to come out during any vacation on shifts. There is no need for all the dailies to come out all together," Maharmeh said.
"Journalists are people too; they have responsibilities and obligations towards their families," the reporter said.
Ad Dustour employees will receive the second day of the Eid Al Fitr as a vacation, while Al Ghad will be closed during second, third and fourth days of the holiday.
Although he is not obligated to come to work during the vacation, Maharmeh said he was told to write from home and send news reports to the paper during the day.
Although they will be engaged in social activities, readers said it is important for them to be able to read the Kingdom's dailies over the holiday.
Jalal Abbadi, a university student studying international affairs, said he follows regional developments through the dailies, adding that despite the many available TV stations, picking up a copy of the newspaper is often more convenient.
"I think Al Rai's decision is wise. Readers need to be posted and updated with what is going on in the country, in the region and in the world as a whole," Abbadi said.
By Hani Hazaimeh
© Jordan Times 2009
