Al-Hayat al-Jadida
Founded in 1995, Al-Hayat al-Jadida—which translates to “The New Life”—is the official daily newspaper of the Palestinian Authority. It is widely regarded as the primary print platform for articulating the views and political messaging of the PA leadership. The paper covers domestic news, international affairs, and cultural topics, but it has long been viewed as a vehicle for government-aligned narratives rather than an independent journalistic outlet.
Media assets
Publishing: Al-Hayat Al-Jadida
State Media Matrix Typology
Ownership and governance
According to local journalists and experts interviewed between December 2023 and April 2024, Al-Hayat al-Jadida is directly managed and overseen by appointees of the Palestinian Authority. All senior editorial and administrative positions are filled at the discretion of the PA, with no publicly accessible framework outlining appointment procedures or editorial governance.
Arif (Aref) Hijjawi is consistently cited as the current chief editor of Al‑Hayat al‑Jadida. Multiple sources, including international news and media institution profiles, list him as the top editorial authority for the paper
Source of funding and budget
There is no official disclosure regarding the newspaper’s financial structure. However, all available evidence—including interviews with local media professionals—indicates that Al-Hayat al-Jadida is entirely financed by the Palestinian Authority. The absence of a transparent budget or audited financial reports further underscores the lack of accountability in its operations.
Editorial independence
The publication is widely criticised for functioning as a mouthpiece of the PA, often showcasing unwavering loyalty to government policies. Its editorial line routinely echoes official rhetoric and sidelines dissenting voices. Analysts and media observers have noted that Al-Hayat al-Jadida has published content perceived as provocative or inflammatory, particularly during periods of heightened political tension.
Despite its official status, no legal statute or institutional mechanism exists to safeguard or assess the newspaper’s editorial independence. There is no ombudsman, board of oversight, or regulatory body capable of evaluating its journalistic conduct or separating news reporting from political messaging.
During the 2023–2025 Gaza conflict, Al-Hayat al-Jadida maintained full editorial alignment with the PA’s political position, while largely avoiding coverage critical of internal governance or human rights issues within the West Bank.
July 2025