Is Gulf News Objective? Media Bias, Political Leaning, and Reliability
Gulf News Overview and Political Bias
Observers frequently characterize Gulf News as a platform reflecting the official perspectives of the UAE government. Critics allege the outlet practices self-censorship regarding sensitive domestic topics and human rights issues. While it provides extensive regional coverage, some analysts suggest its editorial stance closely mirrors UAE foreign policy objectives and regional interests.
| Standpoint | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Overall political leaning | Center |
| Estimated number of readers | 15,000,000 |
| Israel support | Pro-normalization following the Abraham Accords; historically Pro-Palestine. |
| Use of loaded / emotional language | Medium |
| Target Audience | Mass market |
Gulf News History
Gulf News was launched in 1978 as a tabloid-style newspaper in Dubai. It transitioned to a broadsheet format in 1980 and later adopted the Berliner format. Over the decades, it evolved into a leading English-language daily in the Middle East, becoming a primary news source for the UAE's expatriate population.
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Who owns Gulf News?
The publication is owned by Al Nisr Publishing. A primary shareholder is Obaid Humaid Al Tayer, a prominent businessman and former UAE Minister of State. While privately owned, the outlet operates within the UAE’s regulated media landscape, and its funding is largely derived from commercial advertising and subscription revenue.