Is The National Left-Wing or Right-Wing? Political Bias Explained
The National Overview and Political Bias
Critics suggest The National reflects UAE foreign policy priorities, particularly regarding regional security and diplomatic alignments. While it maintains a professional tone, observers often attribute a pro-government bias to its domestic reporting. Some analysts argue it serves as a soft-power instrument for the Emirati state on the global stage.
| Standpoint | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Overall political leaning | Center |
| Estimated number of readers | 10,000,000 |
| Israel support | Aligned with UAE normalization; supports two-state solution |
| Use of loaded / emotional language | Low |
| Target Audience | Elite / International / Expatriates |
The National History
Established in 2008 in Abu Dhabi, The National aimed to be the premier English-language daily in the Middle East. Initially government-owned, it underwent a major transformation in 2016 when it was privatized. Since then, it has expanded its digital presence and established bureaus in London and Washington, D.C.
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Who owns The National?
Since 2016, The National has been owned by International Media Investments (IMI). IMI is a private investment company owned by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a senior member of the Abu Dhabi royal family and UAE Vice President. This ownership links the publication to the state's leadership.