In the fast-paced world of journalism, the front page of a newspaper is the window to the world for readers, a snapshot of the day’s most critical events, and a reflection of the newspaper’s editorial priorities. As the front-page editor of Kuwait Times for nearly two decades, I have documented countless seminal events that have shaped and even altered the course of history.

Shakir Reshamwala

The primary responsibility of the front page is to showcase the most important and relevant stories of the day. The front-page editor must carefully curate a selection that informs, engages and resonates with the target audience. These stories often carry significant social, political, economic or human-interest value. To draw readers in, the front page requires compelling headlines and eye-catching visuals.

These elements should accurately reflect the essence of the stories while piquing the reader’s interest, while at the same time avoiding sensationalism or bias. News is often ephemeral, and the front page must stay current. As Kuwait Times celebrates its 62nd anniversary, some of the front pages of anniversary issues of the past six decades have been highlighted on this page, serving as a reflection of the key events of those times.

Some of these milestone issues were published after tumultuous events (a few days after the 9/11 attacks in Sept 2001), while others were momentous for the newspaper itself (a few days after the paper resumed printing in Sept 1991 after the invasion and subsequent liberation of Kuwait), not to mention the first issue of Kuwait Times in 1961 (a few months after Kuwait’s independence).

Crafting a compelling front page requires a blend of editorial judgment, journalistic integrity and an acute understanding of readers’ needs. As long as newspapers continue to exist, the front page will remain a symbol of the essential role journalism plays in society.



1961

Presidents Tshombe, De Gaulle and Kennedy made the front page of Kuwait Times’ inaugural issue in 1961. Late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, then the head of the printing and publication department, wrote a congratulatory message. Note the vintage TV ad!

1981

The fallout of the Iranian Revolution and creation of Bangladesh still reverberate in Kuwait Times’ 20th anniversary edition.

1991

Kuwait Times’ 30th anniversary edition was published only a few days after the paper resumed printing after the 1990 invasion of Kuwait and liberation in 1991. Reports on Iraqi intransigence and smog in Kuwait due to the burning oilwells dominate the headlines.



2001

Coming a few days after the 9/11 attacks in the US, most stories on the front page of Kuwait Times’ 40th anniversary issue focus on the ‘war on terror’. A column marks four decades of the paper’s existence.

2011

Palestine asking the UN to admit it as a full member state was the top story of Kuwait Times’ 50th anniversary edition. A column celebrates the paper’s golden jubilee.

2021

The life and times of Kuwait Times’ founder Yousuf Al-Alyan was celebrated in the paper’s 60th anniversary issue. With the milestone coming during the COVID crisis, stories on the pandemic also featured on the front page.