Abu Dhabi Media (ADM)

Abu Dhabi Media (ADM) is the media organization officially run by the Government of Abu Dhabi. Set up in 2007, ADM owns a total of 24 media assets, which include television and radio channels, print publications and online portals.


Media assets

Television: Abu Dhabi TV, Al Emarat, Abu Dhabi Drama, Abu Dhabi Sports 1, Abu Dhabi Sports 2, Abu Dhabi Sports 3, Abi Dhabi Sports 4, Yas, Majid TV, National Geographic Abu Dhabi

Radio: Quran Kareem, Emarat FM, Abu Dhabi FM, Star FM, Abu Dhabi Classic FM, KADAK FM, Radio 1, Radio 2

Publishing: Al Ittihad, Zahrat Al Khaleej, Majid Magazine, National Geographic Al Arabiya Magazine

Portals: Zayed, Mohtawa

State Media Matrix Typology: Captured Public/State-Managed (CaPu)


Ownership and governance

ADM was established in 2007 through the Emiri Decree No. 13 as a joint stock company 100% owned by the Abu Dhabi government. The company was created through the merger of the assets formerly owned by the company Emirates Media Incorporated. The company’s main governing body is a five-member Board of Directors who are all appointed through a decree issued by the Crown Prince.

Source of funding and budget

There is no publicly available financial data about ADM. The company funds its operations mostly through revenues generated by ad sales. The government offers subsidies to ADM, but they account for less than 50% of the company’s annual budget, according to journalists and experts covering the UAE.

Editorial independence

There are no editorial rules officially imposed by the government on ADM’s outlets to control their editorial agenda, which, however, is indirectly controlled by the government through the company’s top management. As other state-owned media in the UAE, ADM’s outlets never criticize the Emirati authorities.

No domestic statute that establishes the editorial independence of ADM’s media outlets has been identified during the latest round of research.

No domestic statute and independent assessment or oversight mechanism that would validate the editorial independence of ADM’s media outlets have been identified.

August 2023