The National
The National is an English-language daily newspaper based in Abu Dhabi and focused on United Arab Emirates, regional and international affairs.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
The National is an English-language daily newspaper published in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It was launched on 17 April 2008 by Abu Dhabi Media, the government-owned media company that also operated a number of Arabic-language and specialist publications. The paper was created as an internationally oriented UAE newspaper, with the stated ambition of applying widely recognized journalism standards while providing coverage of the country, the wider Middle East and global affairs. Its launch was accompanied by a substantial recruitment effort: the initial newsroom drew journalists, editors and photographers from prominent international newspapers, including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and The Daily Telegraph. Martin Newland, a former editor of The Daily Telegraph, served as the launch editor and helped shape the publication's early editorial identity. The newspaper's editorial offer is organized around daily sections covering news, business, opinion, arts and lifestyle, and sport. Its reporting extends from UAE politics, society and economy to regional conflicts, diplomacy, markets, culture, travel, motoring and international developments. The Friday Weekend edition provides a broader package, while the brand has also published specialist magazines including Ultratravel and Luxury. Its intended readership has been described as educated and affluent adults, business leaders, decision-makers and influential professionals, both in the UAE and abroad. The National therefore functions not only as a domestic newspaper but also as an English-language instrument of international communication about Abu Dhabi and the UAE. The publication changed ownership in 2016, when it was acquired by International Media Investments, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, a private investment company associated with Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. A relaunch followed in July 2017. The relaunch included a move to new headquarters and the establishment of a London foreign bureau, reinforcing the paper's ambition to operate as a globally visible news organization rather than solely as a local daily. The National has attracted attention for the tension between its international editorial ambitions and the constraints of operating in the UAE's tightly managed media environment. The Financial Times has characterized the paper as reflecting Abu Dhabi's worldview. Former staff and outside commentators have alleged that government priorities, editorial controls and self-censorship influenced the selection, framing and wording of stories, particularly on subjects considered sensitive to the UAE leadership. Reported examples have included coverage of regional uprisings, WikiLeaks, LGBT rights and terminology relating to the Persian Gulf. These criticisms have shaped the newspaper's reputation internationally, with observers presenting it both as a professionally staffed English-language publication and as a publication operating within significant political limits. The National's editorial leadership has changed several times since its launch. Martin Newland was followed by Hassan Fattah and then Mohammed Al Otaiba. Publicly documented reference material identifies no current editor-in-chief in the supplied sources. The newspaper remains an active title with print and digital output, a UAE-centered editorial base and an international-facing news and opinion platform.
History
The National was established by Abu Dhabi Media and published its first issue on 17 April 2008. Its creation reflected an effort to build a high-profile English-language newspaper in the UAE capable of addressing domestic readers while also presenting Abu Dhabi and the country to an international audience. The launch newsroom grew to approximately 200 employees and recruited personnel from major newspapers in the United States and United Kingdom. Martin Newland, who had previously edited The Daily Telegraph, served as launch editor. Several former Telegraph staff members also joined the early operation, including senior editorial and photographic personnel. The paper's editorial proposition combined local and international reporting. Daily coverage was divided into News, Business, Opinion, Arts & Lifestyle and Sport, with additional attention to travel and motoring. A Friday Weekend edition expanded the newspaper's feature and cultural offer. The brand also developed magazine products, including the quarterly Ultratravel and monthly Luxury titles. Early reported circulation was 60,000 copies in 2008, although the supplied reference material does not provide later circulation data. The National presented itself as an exception within a Middle Eastern media landscape characterized by close government control. Its stated mission emphasized accepted journalism standards and a contribution to social development. At the same time, the newspaper's establishment had a broader reputational purpose: helping the UAE government and Abu Dhabi gain respect and influence among international audiences. In 2016, ownership moved from Abu Dhabi Media to International Media Investments, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation. The investment company is associated with Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan and is also linked to Sky News Arabia. The ownership change led to a relaunch in July 2017. The newspaper moved to new headquarters and opened a foreign bureau in London, developments that signaled an expanded international strategy. Editorial leadership changed during the paper's first decade. Newland led the launch period until June 2009. Hassan Fattah served from June 2009 to October 2013, and Mohammed Al Otaiba served from February 2014 to October 2016. The supplied references do not identify a current editor-in-chief. The newspaper's reputation has been shaped by criticism as well as by its professional ambitions. Former staff and outside publications have alleged that the paper's coverage was influenced by government policy and that a detailed censorship process restricted discussion of subjects seen as objectionable to the UAE government or royal family. Reported examples included the treatment of the Libyan uprising, WikiLeaks, LGBT rights and terminology for the Persian Gulf. The New Republic also described newsroom crises, budget cuts, leadership disputes and staff defections. These accounts frame The National as a media organization balancing international journalistic presentation with the political boundaries of the UAE media system. It continues to operate as an English-language newspaper and digital news brand centered on Abu Dhabi and the UAE.
- 2017
Relaunch and London bureau
[1]The National relaunched in July after moving to new headquarters and opening a foreign bureau in London.
- 2016
Acquired by International Media Investments
[1]The newspaper was acquired by International Media Investments, linked to Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation.
- 2013
Further editorial transition
[1]Hassan Fattah's tenure ended in October 2013 amid broader public discussion of the newspaper's editorial direction.
- 2009
Editorial leadership changes
[1]Hassan Fattah succeeded launch editor Martin Newland during the paper's early development.
- 2008
First issue published
[1]Abu Dhabi Media launched The National on 17 April as an English-language daily newspaper.
- 2008
Initial circulation reported
[1]Reference material reports circulation of 60,000 copies during the launch year.
Products and positioning
An internationally oriented English-language UAE newspaper combining domestic reporting with regional and global news, business, culture and lifestyle coverage. Its public positioning emphasizes professional journalism and international readership, while external observers frequently describe its editorial perspective as aligned with Abu Dhabi's governmental worldview.
Newspaper · 2008
The National daily newspaper
The core English-language daily product covers UAE affairs, Middle Eastern politics, international news, business, opinion, sport, arts, lifestyle, travel and motoring. Its editorial structure is organized into five principal daily sections and is supplemented by a Friday Weekend edition.
Digital news
The National digital edition
The National's website extends the newspaper brand through continuously updated English-language news, analysis, opinion, business, culture, lifestyle and sports coverage for readers in the UAE and internationally.
Travel magazine
Ultratravel
Ultratravel is a quarterly magazine associated with The National's publishing portfolio. It focuses on premium travel and related destination and lifestyle content.
Luxury magazine
Luxury
Luxury is a monthly magazine associated with The National. Its subject area is premium consumption, design, culture and lifestyle, complementing the newspaper's affluent-reader positioning.
Controversies
2013
Reported newsroom crisis and staff departures
The New Republic described leadership changes, budget cuts, internal conflict and staff defections, linking these developments to disputes over the newspaper's direction and allegations of pervasive self-censorship.
2012
Allegations of censorship and government-aligned coverage
Former foreign desk editor Tom O'Hara publicly alleged that a detailed censorship process influenced story selection and language, including coverage of politically sensitive regional and social issues. The allegations became part of wider debate about the limits of journalism in the UAE.
Brand decisions
2017
International relaunchStrategyBackground
The new ownership structure provided an opportunity to reposition the publication and strengthen its international reach.
Action taken
The National relaunched in July, moved to new headquarters and opened a London foreign bureau.
Aftermath
The newspaper reinforced its role as a globally oriented English-language UAE news brand.
2016
Ownership transfer to International Media InvestmentsM&ABackground
Abu Dhabi Media had operated The National since its launch, but the newspaper was acquired by International Media Investments in 2016.
Action taken
Ownership moved to International Media Investments, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation associated with Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Aftermath
The change was followed by a relaunch, a headquarters move and the opening of a London foreign bureau.
Recent events
The National offers pro-independence campaign kits to new subscribers[3]
Reported:
The National made pro-independence campaign kits available to new subscribers ahead of the Scottish Parliament election. The kit includes a T-shirt and mask among other products.
The National and Believe in Scotland launch the Yes Challenge[4]
Reported:
The National teamed up with Believe in Scotland to launch the Yes Challenge, a campaign aimed at persuading undecided voters to support Scottish independence.
Sources4 sources
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