It was at 4am on April 17, 2008, when the first copy of The National rolled off the press in Abu Dhabi. Nine months earlier Martin Newland, the former editor of British broadsheet The Daily Telegraph, had agreed to create the capital's newest English newspaper.
By late August 2007, word had begun to spread that Abu Dhabi was looking for the best newspaper talent on offer. The airlines were kept busy, flying in staff from as far afield as Chile and Australia – although the bulk came from the US, UK and Canada.
When The National began its dummy editions in mid-March 2008, 164 people had been assembled from 23 countries. On the morning of the launch, employees crisscrossed the newsroom to autograph copies of the first issue for their colleagues. In an age of online media, many observers thought we might be witnessing the world’s last broadsheet newspaper launch.
In June 2009, Hassan Fattah took up the reins after Newland, pictured above in a white shirt during an early meeting with staff, became the executive director of publishing at The National’s parent company, Abu Dhabi Media. Since then the paper has undergone a redesign, debuted a re-energised internet site and welcomed two new magazines: UltraTravel and Luxury.
On Wednesday afternoon, only 50 of the original hires will be among the 204 employees who will gather around the news conference table, pictured above, in Abu Dhabi to mark five years of reportage. The hope, however, will be shared: that The National continues its push to inform and inspire those who seek advancement in the UAE.
* National Staff
Time Frame is a series that opens a window into the nation’s past. Readers are invited to make contributions to yourpics@thenational.ae
