Newstag Arabic نيوزتاج عربية will feature professionally produced news content in Arabic from suppliers including the Associated Press, AFP and Euronews. Talks are also ongoing between the Stockholm-based companies and regional news providers to secure more content.

The new mobile first application enables users to create and watch their own personalised video news channels comprising news and causes they find relevant. Together, all the users create a crowd curated news experience. As well as video supplied by media groups, Newstag also has content relationships with NGOs and research organisations.

“Newstag creates an environment for modern social engagement and offer a relevant, personal, news experience empowering an audience that takes news seriously and wants to make a difference,” said Camilla Dahlin-Andersson, co-founder, Newstag.

Fellow co-founder and CEO, Henrik Eklund, added: “Currently 60% of existing Newstag users are based in the MENA region which is what prompted us to set up Newstag Arabic. Six per cent of the global population live in the Middle East and yet the region accounts for only 0.6% of the global advertising market. We believe there is potential for enormous growth in the coming years.”