Gulf News publishers Al Nisr Media, is preparing to launch a daily tabloid-sized newspaper in an attempt to spoil plans by the Dubai Radio Network (DRN) to introduce its tabloid titles which are due in September.
Details about the new newspaper remain shrouded in secrecy, but Campaign Middle East understands that the venture has been given the codename “Project X” and a separate secure area at the Gulf News offices near Sheikh Zayed Road has been set aside to develop the new title.
Francis Matthew, managing editor of Al Nisr Media, part of Al Nisr Publishing, refused to comment on the plans, saying only: “I can’t discuss it,” when asked about the publishers intentions.
But a source at Gulf News claims that staff are already working on “Project X” and new recruits are being told they may end up working on the paper. Details of when it will be launched, pagination and distribution are not known.
News of Al Nisr’s plans comes after Campaign Middle East revealed three weeks ago that DRN is due to launch its English tabloid newspaper, with the current favoured title of “Emirates Mail” in September.
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