Othman Alomeir

Othman Al-Omeir is currently the Chairman of Groupe Maroc Soir and the Founder, Publisher, and Editor-in-Chief of Elaph Publishing Limited. He is a prominent Saudi-born British journalist, editor, and businessman. Othman began his career in journalism in the early 1970s as a junior sports correspondent for Al Jazirah newspaper. He later became managing editor and London correspondent for the same newspaper. 
 

Othman’s career advanced when he became editor-in-chief of Al-Yaum, a leading Saudi newspaper, in 1980, making him the youngest editor in Saudi history. He also served as the editor-in-chief of Al-Majalla magazine and Asharq Al-Awsat, where he worked for 10 years.
 

Othman founded Elaph, the first independent Arabic e-newspaper, based in London in 2001. The website became one of the leading news portals in the Arab world, known for its liberal viewpoints and commitment to free speech. Despite facing challenges, including government blockades in several Arab countries, Elaph’s readership reached 1.8 million visitors, making it the most widely-read Arabic online newspaper.
 

Othman acquired the Maroc Soir Group in 2004, which publishes several prominent newspapers in Morocco, including Le Matin, Assahra Al-Maghribiya, and Morocco Times. Othman is also the co-chairman of the Strategic Communications Group and has been involved in media projects like OR Media and Mena Media Consulting.

Othman is known for his close relationships with prominent Arab leaders, including King Fahd and King Salman of Saudi Arabia, and the late King Hassan II of Morocco. He has interviewed world leaders such as George W. Bush, Margaret Thatcher, and Mikhail Gorbachev. 

His contributions to the media industry have earned him many awards, including the Media Personality of the Year in 2006 by the Arab Media Forum and the New Media for the Future Prize in 2009. Othman graduated from the University of Madinah.

Othman Al-Omeir was born in 1950 in Al Zulfi, Saudi Arabia. His early years were shaped by his father, who was a Qutab teacher for a mosque. Al-Omeir later moved to Madinah, where he completed his education at the University of Madinah. His academic background in Islamic studies laid the foundation for his future in media and communication.
 

Othman’s career in journalism began in the early 1970s, when he joined Al Jazirah newspaper in Saudi Arabia as a junior sports correspondent. His potential was quickly recognised, and within a short time, he became the managing editor and London correspondent for the same newspaper. During his time as a correspondent in London, he honed his skills in both English language and journalism.
 

In 1980, Othman became the youngest editor-in-chief in Saudi Arabia's history when he took the helm of Al-Yaum newspaper, a major Saudi daily. His leadership saw a significant shift in the newspaper’s editorial direction. He later moved on to serve as the editor-in-chief of Al-Majalla, a prominent Arabic-language magazine, in 1983. Othman’s editorial work in these roles led to his appointment as editor-in-chief of Asharq Al-Awsat in 1987, a major international Arabic daily. During his tenure, he worked to expand the newspaper’s influence, particularly by creating partnerships with Western publications.

One of Othman’s most notable achievements came in 2001 when he launched Elaph, the first independent Arabic e-newspaper, based in London. Elaph revolutionised the media landscape in the Arab world by offering a platform for free speech, and within three years, it became the most widely read Arabic daily online, with 1.8 million unique visitors. The website gained significant international attention, despite being blocked by several Arab governments, including in Saudi Arabia. Elaph's commitment to offering liberal viewpoints and independent reporting made it stand out in a region where press freedom is often restricted.
 

In 2004, Othman made another significant move by acquiring the Groupe Maroc Soir, the oldest media group in Morocco. The group publishes several newspapers, including Le Matin, Assahra Al-Maghribiya, and Morocco Times, and it holds one of the most advanced printing presses in Africa. This acquisition marked Othman’s expanding influence in the media industry across the Arab world and further solidified his reputation as a prominent media mogul.
 

Throughout his career, Othman has maintained close relationships with many prominent Arab leaders, including King Fahd and King Salman of Saudi Arabia, and King Hassan II of Morocco. His status in the media world also allowed him to interview major world figures, such as former U.S. President George W. Bush, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, and Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev. His interviews and reporting have contributed significantly to his standing as a well-respected journalist and editor in the international media community.
 

In addition to his journalistic work, Othman has made valuable contributions to the media industry through his business ventures. He founded OR Media Limited in partnership with Abdulrahman Al Rashed, a media production company based in the UK. He also established Mena Media Consulting, a public relations firm, which played a role in shaping the media landscape in the Middle East and North Africa.

Othman’s work has earned him numerous accolades, including the Media Personality of the Year award in 2006 from the Arab Media Forum and the Media Innovation Prize in 2007 from the Arab Thought Foundation. In 2009, he was awarded the New Media for the Future Prize by the Anna Lindh Foundation, in recognition of his pioneering work in the field of digital media. He was nominated for the International Media Awards by the Next Century Foundation in 2011.
 

Throughout his career, Othman has faced challenges in the media industry, particularly regarding the restrictions on press freedom in many Arab countries. Despite these obstacles, he has remained a strong advocate for free speech and independent journalism. He has continued to innovate in media, and in 2021, he launched the Arabic version of How to Spend It, a luxury magazine by the Financial Times.
 

Currently, Othman remains actively involved in his media ventures, including Elaph, and continues to shape the media landscape both in the Arab world and globally. He is also the chairman of Strategic Communications Group and is frequently engaged in discussions on the intersection of media, politics, and diplomacy. His ongoing work in the media industry demonstrates his commitment to driving forward-thinking conversations and projects within the Arab world and beyond.

Othman Al-Omeir's vision is to promote independent, free speech in the media, focusing on providing a platform for diverse viewpoints. Through his work, he aims to bridge cultural gaps and encourage the exchange of ideas between the Arab world and the West. He is committed to advancing media innovation and pushing boundaries, particularly in digital media, to offer audiences reliable and transparent information. His vision includes fostering a more informed, open, and connected world where media serves as a tool for dialogue, understanding, and positive change, while promoting freedom of expression in regions where it is often restricted.

Othman Al-Omeir has received several prestigious awards and recognitions throughout his career. In 2006, he was named Media Personality of the Year by the Arab Media Forum for his significant contributions to the media industry. In 2007, he was honoured with the Media Innovation Prize by the Arab Thought Foundation. He also received the New Media for the Future Prize from the Anna Lindh Foundation in 2009.