JEDDAH — Saudi Gazette has won the award for Best News Website and App Relaunch at the 2026 Middle East Digital Media Awards organized by WAN-IFRA, with judges describing the project as a “great digital transformation.”An expert jury from the World Association of News Publishers — the world’s largest international press organization — selected the winners based on criteria including verification, audience engagement, innovation, and public value across the region.Owned by Okaz Organization for Press and Publication, Saudi Gazette was recognized for successfully transforming a 50-year-old newspaper brand into a modern, high-performance, mobile-first digital platform.The relaunch, officially launched by Okaz Organization Chairman Sheikh Abdullah Saleh Kamel in January 2026 as part of a broader digital transformation strategy, delivered a 40% improvement in website load times and a 38% increase in mobile session duration, while also recording significantly higher click-through rates across key sections including Saudi Arabia and World news.The jury commented: “This is a great digital transformation that is inviting to read and has improved editorial publishing.”As one of the Kingdom’s oldest English-language newspapers, Saudi Gazette demonstrated its ability to evolve in a rapidly changing digital media landscape by addressing longstanding technical challenges related to speed, SEO performance, and user engagement.Featuring an image-led design and integrated day-and-night viewing modes, the revamped platform was designed to provide a smoother and more visually engaging reading experience that encourages deeper audience interaction with content.Jameel Al-Theyabi, Editor-in-Chief of Okaz and General Supervisor of Saudi Gazette, said the award reflects the newspaper’s commitment to digital innovation while preserving its editorial identity and legacy.“This recognition is the result of the work invested in transforming Saudi Gazette into a modern digital platform that aligns with global publishing standards while maintaining its journalistic mission and historic position,” he said.Al-Theyabi added that the achievement was made possible through the full support of Okaz Organization Chairman Sheikh Abdullah Saleh Kamel, the efforts of the newspaper’s editorial, technical and administrative teams, and the continuous follow-up of Saudi Gazette Managing Editor Anas Al-Yusuf.WAN-IFRA said this year’s winners “reflect journalism shaped by pressure, constraint and complexity,” highlighting the resilience and adaptability of media organizations across the region.