Observer marks 45 years of chronicling growth

MUSCAT, NOV 15
The Oman Daily Observer celebrated its 45th anniversary on November 15, 2026, marking more than four decades of journalism and documenting Oman’s development. The celebration was attended by Rashid bin Hamad al Hashmi, Director-General of the Directorate-General of Press, Publications and Advertising, Abdullah bin Salim al Shueili, Editor-in-Chief of the Oman Daily Observer and members of the newspaper’s staff.
Since its first edition was published on November 15, 1981, with just eight pages printed in Ruwi, the Observer has evolved alongside Oman’s transformation, reporting on the country’s achievements, developments and everyday stories. Today, it has grown into a 20-page newspaper with five main sections: Local, Business, Sports, Features and Politics, alongside magazines and special supplements. It also remains the only English-language newspaper in Oman published seven days a week.
Over the years, the Observer has expanded beyond print to establish a strong digital presence. Its website was launched in 1997, the same year Internet services were introduced in Oman, initially providing readers abroad, particularly Omani students and diplomatic missions, with access to news from home.
A major step in its digital transformation came in 2021 with the relaunch of its website, followed by the introduction of dedicated multimedia production, daily news videos, podcasts and visual content. In March 2022, the newspaper launched its mobile application for Android and iOS, becoming the first dedicated English-language news app in the Sultanate of Oman.
The Observer continued to diversify its digital products with the launch of The Correspondent, a monthly digital magazine, in March 2023, followed by its weekly newsletter and WhatsApp Channel in October 2023. The latter has since attracted more than 33,500 subscribers.
In 2026, the newspaper established Observer Studio, a creative hub dedicated to producing multimedia content, including news cards, reels and carousels, strengthening its engagement across digital platforms. Its main social media accounts have also obtained official verification.
The newspaper’s digital reach reflects this transformation. In 2025, its website recorded 98.4 million visits, while its social media platforms generated 56.8 million views on Facebook, 33.2 million on Instagram, three million on X and 320,000 on YouTube. Observer podcasts also recorded 234,876 views.
As it marks 45 years, the Oman Daily Observer continues to build on its legacy while adapting to a rapidly changing media landscape, remaining committed to accurate reporting, credible journalism and telling Oman’s story to the world.