Al Arabiya controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2021
Algerian accreditation withdrawn
Algeria’s Ministry of Communication withdrew the channel’s operating accreditation, alleging ethical violations and disinformation.
2020
Inauthentic columnist network allegations
The Daily Beast reported that a network of false online personas had supplied opinion pieces aligned with UAE policy to outlets including Al Arabiya. Twitter suspended some associated accounts.
2017
UK broadcasting privacy breach
Ofcom found that an interview involving imprisoned Bahraini opposition figure Hassan Mushaima infringed privacy rights. The regulator imposed a £120,000 fine and required an on-air apology; the channel later surrendered its licence after a further complaint.
2015
Plagiarism allegations
Egyptian Streets alleged that Al Arabiya had reproduced material from two articles word for word. One article was updated with a note acknowledging the error.
2009
Closure of Tehran bureau
Iran ordered the Al Arabiya office in Tehran closed after criticizing its coverage of the presidential election; the closure subsequently became indefinite.