WE are turning 40 today. And it’s indeed a major milestone to celebrate, especially at a time when newspapers are under pressure from the onslaught of a plethora of digital devices, social media and changing media consumption.

But here we are, standing and welcoming this tough challenge. The Oman Daily Observer is prepared to pick up the gauntlet, thanks to the enduring support from the Sultanate of Oman’s government.

Started on November 15, 1981, the prime aim of the Observer right from its inception, was to disseminate information on the development process kick-started in the Sultanate of Oman.

During the country’s development march, the role of the media was vital in helping people get easy access to information and the Observer was a robust link between people and the government.

Oman (Arabic daily) and the Oman Daily Observer served as a bridge between the government and the people to update them with the current events in the country, in addition to bringing the news of the world to them.

Today, the Sultanate of Oman stands on the world stage as a nation that has gone significantly farther – politically, economically and socially – than many of its resource-rich peers. This recognition is a testament to the wisdom and acumen of its wise leadership.

The Observer, which had a humble beginning, has grown into one of the leading English dailies in the region.

When we look back at the last four decades with the Observer, it has grown so much beyond what it was in the beginning. We are diversified today in both print and digital editions. Through different social media platforms, we continue to give our audience different storytelling experiences.

Our mission in the path of growth has always been reinventing and adapting. Whatever state-of-the-art technologies may emerge, certain fundamentals will always remain the same. As a tangible document, a printed newspaper fits quite snugly into our daily routines.

Even as we cater to the needs of those who want to enjoy reading the hard copy, we also update readers through our online channels the news as it happens in our country and across the world.

The Observer is made up of a team of passionate and creative individuals who are always ready to switch tactics. The editorial and reporting teams comprise dedicated scribes who put everything into their chosen profession.

So, while we chart our future in this new world of technology, we are proud of retaining the basics of what made us journalists in the first place, the same tenets from 40 years ago when the Observer started.

We work round the year on the print edition, and of course, there’s no break at all when it comes to our online. Although the newspaper is our flagship product, credit for that cannot go solely to the editorial team. This is where we salute our colleagues from administrative, technical and data, production, printing, circulation, and the marketing teams.

Last, but not least, we’d like to thank our audience and supporters for making the Observer what it is today. We couldn’t have come this far without you!