Abu Dhabi Media (ADM) is the official media arm of the Abu Dhabi Government, operating as a state-owned enterprise since its restructuring by Emiri Decree No. 13 in 2007. It manages a diverse portfolio of 24 media platforms, spanning television and radio channels, print publications, and digital portals. In September 2023, Abu Dhabi Media (ADM) officially rebranded itself as Abu Dhabi Media Network (ADMN).
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 is a 100% government-owned joint-stock company, born from the merger of Emirates Media Incorporated’s assets in 2007. Its governance structure features a five-member Board of Directors appointed by decree from the Crown Prince. The board oversees strategic direction, ensuring alignment with government objectives.
As of 2025, Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber serves as Chair of the board, with Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohamed bin Butti Al Hamed—appointed as National Media Office Minister in January 2024—playing a central coordination role with federal media regulators.
Source of funding and budget
ADM operates under a mixed-revenue model. It draws on advertising and commercial partnerships, supplemented by government subsidies—though insiders affirm the latter remains under 50% of annual expenditure.
Detailed financial disclosures for 2024 are not publicly available, consistent with the opacity characterizing most UAE media entities. Nevertheless, industry analysts note significant growth in digital advertising across the UAE, with sector-wide revenues surpassing AED 800 million in 2024.
Editorial independence
ADM does not operate under officially codified editorial independence. Top-level management—appointed by government decree—regulates editorial direction, effectively curbing any critical engagement with state policy. While outlets occasionally cover soft-interest topics and culturally safe investigative features, no domestic legislation or independent body guarantees editorial autonomy.
As is the case with most state-run media in the UAE, ADM’s outlets never openly criticize Emirati authorities or government policy. Although certain platforms occasionally publish features on social issues, culture, and safe investigative topics, these are carefully curated to avoid political friction.
No domestic statute, independent assessment, or external oversight mechanism exists to validate or enforce editorial autonomy. In this context, media freedom watchdogs have repeatedly flagged ADM’s operations as lacking transparency and independence, reinforcing its image as a communications arm of the state rather than an independent media organisation.
July 2025