Al Akhbar
An Egyptian Arabic-language daily newspaper published by Dar Akhbar Al-Youm.
Last updated August 24, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Al Akhbar, also written Al-Akhbar, is an Egyptian Arabic-language morning daily newspaper published by Dar Akhbar Al-Youm. It was established in May 1952 by the brothers Ali Amin and Mustafa Amin as part of the Akhbar el-Yom publishing operation. The title emerged during a period when Egypt's newspaper market was being reshaped by political change, and it subsequently became one of the country's most prominent mass-circulation daily newspapers. The newspaper is based in Cairo and operates within Egypt's state-owned, semi-official press environment. Its publisher, Dar Akhbar Al-Youm, is associated with the wider Akhbar el-Yom institutional publishing house. Al Akhbar's principal output is its Arabic daily newspaper, covering domestic Egyptian affairs, politics, public institutions, social issues, culture, sports, and other general-interest subjects. The brand is therefore best understood as a national newspaper property rather than as a diversified consumer brand. Al Akhbar has historically ranked among Egypt's largest daily newspapers. Reference material describes circulation above 700,000 copies during the 1950s, approximately 650,000 in 1976, and about 1.1 million copies sold in 2000. These historical figures indicate the paper's substantial reach, although they do not establish its current circulation. The newspaper has been described as the country's second daily by institutional size after Al-Ahram. The title has also been associated with notable Egyptian writers and editors. The novelist Gamal el-Ghitani served as editor-in-chief from 1985, while the author Anis Mansour also held the editor-in-chief position. Editorial leadership changed several times around and after the 2011 Egyptian political upheaval. Mohamed Barakat was appointed editor-in-chief in January 2011, replacing Mohamed Mahdy Fadly. During the presidency of Mohamed Morsi, Mohammad Hassan El Bana assumed the editorial post. That period was also marked by the dismissal of writer Ibrahim Abdul Meguid after critical articles concerning the Muslim Brotherhood, along with the discontinuation of the newspaper's 'free opinion' section and the removal of several contributors. Al Akhbar's public identity combines mass-market daily journalism with the institutional role of a state-owned or state-aligned newspaper. Its historical importance rests on its longevity, national distribution, large readership, connection to Dar Akhbar Al-Youm, and participation in Egypt's changing political and editorial environment. The supplied sources do not establish a current editor-in-chief, current circulation, ownership structure beyond its state-owned characterization, or the precise relationship between its print and digital operations. Its website is hosted at akhbarelyom.com.
History
Al Akhbar was founded in May 1952 by Ali Amin and Mustafa Amin as part of the Akhbar el-Yom publishing operation. From its beginning, it was conceived as a daily newspaper serving a broad Egyptian readership. The title later became part of Dar Akhbar Al-Youm, the publishing institution responsible for its production and distribution. The paper developed within Egypt's highly centralized newspaper system and became a state-owned, semi-official publication. Its Cairo base and national distribution allowed it to operate as a general-interest daily with coverage extending across politics, public affairs, society, culture, sports, and other subjects. It was not merely a specialist or local title; it became one of the country's principal mass-market newspapers. Al Akhbar reached substantial circulation levels during the second half of the twentieth century. Historical reference material records circulation of more than 700,000 copies during the 1950s. In 1976, it was described as Egypt's most-read daily, with circulation of approximately 650,000. By 2000, the paper reportedly sold about 1.1 million copies. These figures are historical snapshots and should not be treated as evidence of present-day circulation. The same material places Al Akhbar second among Egyptian dailies by institutional size, behind Al-Ahram. The newspaper's editorial history includes a succession of prominent writers. Egyptian novelist Gamal el-Ghitani became editor-in-chief in 1985. The author Anis Mansour also served as editor-in-chief, reflecting the title's links with Egypt's literary and journalistic establishment. In January 2011, Mohamed Barakat was appointed editor-in-chief in place of Mohamed Mahdy Fadly. The transition occurred during a period of major political unrest and institutional change in Egypt. Editorial policy became especially contested during the presidency of Mohamed Morsi. Mohammad Hassan El Bana assumed the editor-in-chief position during that period. The newspaper discontinued its free-opinion section and dismissed multiple contributors. Ibrahim Abdul Meguid, who had worked for the paper, was dismissed after publishing critical articles about the Muslim Brotherhood. These developments illustrate the relationship between the newspaper's editorial structure and the wider political environment in which Egyptian state-owned and semi-official media operated. Al Akhbar continues to be identified as an Arabic-language Egyptian morning daily published by Dar Akhbar Al-Youm. The supplied reference material does not provide a verified current editor-in-chief, current print circulation, detailed digital readership data, or a complete account of later ownership and governance changes. Its documented historical profile is that of a long-running national newspaper with a large readership, a prominent place in Egypt's press system, and an editorial history shaped by changes in national politics.
- 2011
Mohamed Barakat appointed editor-in-chief
[1]Mohamed Barakat replaces Mohamed Mahdy Fadly as editor-in-chief in January.
- 2000
Reported sales reach 1.1 million copies
[1]The reference material reports that the newspaper sold approximately 1.1 million copies in 2000.
- 1985
Gamal el-Ghitani becomes editor-in-chief
[1]Novelist Gamal el-Ghitani is appointed to lead the newspaper's editorial operation.
- 1976
Reportedly Egypt's most-read daily
[1]Reference material identifies Al Akhbar as the most-read daily in Egypt at the time, with reported circulation of about 650,000 copies.
- 1952
Al Akhbar is founded
[1]Ali Amin and Mustafa Amin launch Al Akhbar in May as part of the Akhbar el-Yom publishing operation.
Products and positioning
A large national Egyptian daily positioned within the country's state-owned, semi-official newspaper sector, with broad general-news coverage and a mass-market readership.
Newspaper · 1952
Al Akhbar daily newspaper
The core Al Akhbar product is an Arabic-language morning daily published in Egypt by Dar Akhbar Al-Youm. It is a general-interest national newspaper rather than a specialist title, with coverage associated with Egyptian politics and public affairs as well as social, cultural, sports, and other news. Its historical mass circulation made it one of the country's best-known daily newspaper properties.
Brand decisions
- Editorial restructuring during the Morsi eraStrategy
Background
During Mohamed Morsi's presidency, the newspaper operated amid heightened political sensitivity and changes in Egypt's media environment.
Action taken
Mohammad Hassan El Bana assumed the editor-in-chief role, the free-opinion section was discontinued, and several contributors were dismissed. Ibrahim Abdul Meguid was removed after critical articles concerning the Muslim Brotherhood.
Aftermath
The changes affected the newspaper's editorial personnel and opinion content. The supplied source does not document the subsequent long-term editorial or commercial effects.
Recent events
- 2011
Mohamed Barakat takes over the editorship[1]
Leadership change
Mohamed Barakat was appointed editor-in-chief in January 2011, replacing Mohamed Mahdy Fadly.
- 1985
Gamal el-Ghitani appointed editor-in-chief[1]
Leadership change
Egyptian novelist Gamal el-Ghitani became editor-in-chief of the daily, adding a prominent literary figure to its editorial leadership.
- 1952
Al Akhbar begins publication as part of Akhbar el-Yom[1]
Other
The newspaper was first published in May 1952 under the Akhbar el-Yom publishing operation founded by Ali Amin and Mustafa Amin.
Editorial changes during the Morsi era[1]
Leadership change · Regulation · Other
During Mohamed Morsi's presidency, Mohammad Hassan El Bana assumed the editor-in-chief role. The newspaper also ended its free-opinion section and dismissed several contributors, including Ibrahim Abdul Meguid after critical writing about the Muslim Brotherhood.
Sources2 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/al-akhbar · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled