A Digital Archival Lens on the First Saudi State

Uncovering Its Representation in English Newspapers

Bibliographic Data

ID22133533
AuthorsMaha Ali Alkhashil (0000-0002-4830-7402, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, corresponding author), Samia Boubaker Ghazouani (Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University), Nouf Rezeg Al-Rodhan (0009-0009-2898-2556, Jouf University)
Year2025
Volume5
Issue2
Pages22
Publication date2025-04-28
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHistories (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2409-9252 • E-ISSN: 2409-9252
PublisherMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/histories5020022
OpenAlexW4409887448
LanguageEN
References cited13

This study examines how English newspapers portrayed the First Saudi State (FSS) between 1794 and 1819, focusing on their role in shaping European perceptions. The starting point, 1794, corresponds to the earliest located article mentioning the FSS, while 1819 marks the final reports on its downfall, including the fall of Diriyah in 1818 and the execution of Imam Abdullah bin Saud. While most historical research on the FSS has analyzed travelogs and diplomatic reports, this study highlights newspapers as a contemporaneous and underexplored source. It finds that English press coverage primarily relied on Ottoman and allied sources, often lacking direct Saudi perspectives. As a result, articles frequently framed the FSS as a rebellious religious sect rather than a legitimate state-building effort. Using a qualitative content analysis of 55 randomly selected newspaper articles, the study identifies recurring themes, sources, and biases. Coverage peaked during major geopolitical events, but inaccuracies, sensationalized terminology, and selective reporting reinforced negative stereotypes about the Saudis. By filling a gap in historiography, this research underscores how newspapers shaped public perceptions and foreign policy decisions toward Arabia. It also highlights the broader implications of media dependency in shaping historical narratives

Media studies · Newspaper · Optics · Physics · Political science · Programming language · Sociology · Through-the-lens metering · Computer Science · Islamic Studies and History · Middle East and Rwanda Conflicts · Socioeconomic Development in MENA

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