Launched in 1976, Emirates News Agency (Wakalat Anba’a al Emarat, WAM) is the official news agency in the UAE.
Media assets
News agency: WAM
State Media Matrix Typology: State-Controlled (SC)
Ownership and governance
WAM is a government agency operating as part of the National Media Council, the media regulatory authority in the UAE whose board of directors consists, in majority, of government officials, according to data. The Council has a broad range of powers including licensing media companies (newspapers, television and radio broadcasters), awarding photo permits and issuing press cards.
Source of funding and budget
WAM generates funding on its own through sale of content, but also receives a subsidy from the state budget, which constitutes the largest part of the agency’s annual budget, according to journalists and experts covering UAE. The agency doesn’t publish information about its budget.
Editorial independence
WAM operates as a government agency, its editorial coverage being closely shaped, monitored and controlled by authorities through the National Media Council. An ad hoc content analysis found that the coverage of the agency is non-controversial, filled with materials promoting the activities of the authorities.
No statute and no independent assessment or oversight mechanism to validate the editorial independence of WAM have been identified.
August 2023