Abu Dhabi Media (ADM) is the media organization officially run by the Government of Abu Dhabi. Established in 2007, ADM owns 24 media assets, including 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 by merging the assets formerly owned by 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 primarily 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 interviewed for this report in May 2024.
Editorial independence
No editorial rules officially imposed by the government on ADM’s outlets to control their editorial agenda are in place. However, the editorial decision-making process is indirectly controlled by the government through the company’s top management. Like other state-owned media in the UAE, ADM’s outlets never criticize the Emirati authorities.
No domestic statute establishing the editorial independence of ADM’s media outlets has been identified during the latest round of research.
No domestic statute, independent assessment, or oversight mechanism that would validate the editorial independence of ADM’s media outlets has been identified.
July 2024