ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Rudaw on Monday unveiled a new version of its website featuring advanced technical tools and a redesigned layout during an event attended by foreign diplomats and officials, who praised the platform’s digital transformation, reaffirming their reliance on the outlet as a credible source for local and regional news.
“At the consulate, we follow Rudaw’s English, Kurdish, and Arabic pages,” said Yann Braem, the French Consul General in Erbil, adding, “Even in Paris, we watch Rudaw, and your news is reliable.”
The French diplomat also congratulated the outlet on the launch, saying, “I am certain these changes will provide greater opportunities to stay informed about developments in Kurdistan and Iraq.”
For his part, Tariq Eideh, the Palestinian Consul General in Erbil, said, “I have been following Rudaw since I began my work here [in the Kurdistan Region].”
“Your website is highly engaging, particularly its political and cultural coverage as well as the opinion articles,” Eideh noted, adding, “As diplomats, it provides us with a valuable picture of the Region.”
Similarly, Fiona Batters, Deputy Consul General of the United Kingdom in Erbil, said she kicks off her day by checking Rudaw’s website every day while having her morning coffee.
“It helps me understand what is happening in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and the wider region,” Batters said, adding, “As an economist, I pay particular attention to economic issues.”
Rudaw’s new digital platform offers users a broader and more interactive experience, offering a variety of services ranging from health support to a window for stock market updates.
Most importantly, this data is not sent to servers, instead, it is stored locally on the user’s mobile phone to ensure complete privacy protection. The revamped website is also equipped with an Artificial Intelligence (AI) chat developed exclusively using Rudaw’s data and archive, helping prevent the generation of inaccurate or misleading information.
“If you do not have time to read, our AI will summarize the news for you as quickly as possible,” said Brwa Kyani, Rudaw’s digital media director.
Furthermore, thanks to a high-speed data transmission system, users can access stock market prices and football news directly on Rudaw’s homepage without needing to search for an article or refresh the page.
With the new Rudaw website, readers no longer need to rely on social media for reels, as news reels are uploaded in compact sizes and high quality, allowing videos to play seamlessly without buffering or excessive data consumption.
Last but not least, it provides an interactive map on which news pieces are pinned on their corresponding locations.
The latest launch is part of Rudaw’s broader effort to keep pace with the rapid evolution of digital media and the age of AI by integrating innovative technologies that enhance both accessibility and user experience.
Of note, the network’s digital coverage of the latest war in the Middle East surpassed 3.72 billion views across its social media platforms within the first four weeks alone, setting a new benchmark among media outlets in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and the wider region by early April.
While headquartered in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, Rudaw’s reach has expanded far beyond its borders, with metrics indicating that a substantial share of its viewership comes from non-followers and users directed to the network through platform algorithms that prioritize Rudaw’s high-quality content.
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