Al Jazeera (Lean Left bias) has become one of the most widely recognized international news agencies since it was founded almost 30 years ago. Through its coverage of Middle Eastern events such as the Gulf and Iraq Wars, the publication has established a far-and-wide reach and produces content in six different languages. 

The Qatari outlet’s international relevance has only grown in recent years, with the Israel-Hamas conflict turning much of the world’s focus again to the Middle East. As AllSides lists on its source page for Al Jazeera, its coverage of the conflict so far has “often centered on Palestinian perspectives and promoted critics of Israel.”

Though some perceive Al Jazeera to be state media controlled by the Qatari government, the situation is more nuanced.

Who Owns Al Jazeera?

Al Jazeera claims that it is both “independent” and “funded in part by the Qatari government.”

According to The New York Times (Lean Left), Al Jazeera Media Network (AJMN) was founded in 1996 by Qatar’s then-Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, with an initial loan of QAR 500 million (USD 150 million at the time) to support its first five years. Today, it is run by Sheikh Hamad bin Thamer Al Thani, a member of the Qatari royal house.

Even with its close ties to the Qatar government, AJMN claims editorial independence. In 2011, Al Jazeera underwent a legal restructuring, changing from a “public institution” to a “private institution of public utility.”

According to Wikipedia, Al Jazeera’s additional revenue is generated through distribution deals, television contracts, and revenue from its sports division. In 2013, its sovereign wealth fund was reportedly worth $85 billion, according to Fortune (Center). 

Some critics, like the Council of Foreign Relations, have asserted that Qatar uses Al Jazeera to influence foreign policy by shaping public perceptions of other countries and their leaders. It also asserts that the network continues to rely significantly on Qatari state funding to support its global operations despite its diverse revenue streams. Though Al Jazeera’s funding structure has raised questions about its independence, the network states that it operates editorially independent of the Qatari government.

Al Jazeera’s funding structure and editorial independence remain a subject of debate as the outlet maintains and grows its significant presence in international news.

Prominent Claims of Al Jazeera’s Bias

Over the years, several sources have criticized Al Jazeera for media bias, claiming it is anti-Israeli propaganda and accusing it of amplifying the interests of extremist organizations and inciting terrorism. 

In 2024, an opinion piece in The Jerusalem Post (Center) said the outlet “glorifies Hamas, including its ‘heroic’ massacres of October 7” and aids in “drumming up terrorism against Israelis.”

In 2017, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt all cut diplomatic ties with Qatar, demanding it take down Al Jazeera and abandon alleged ties with Islamist organizations, according to The New York Times. An agreement to reinstate diplomatic relations between the countries was signed in 2021, and soon after, Egypt released two Al Jazeera reporters who had been held in detention.

Also in 2017, the Council for Foreign Affairs published an article claiming that Al Jazeera framed Qatar favorably in its media coverage and noted that its coverage was “viewed as an irritant, or even a threat, by many [Arab] rulers.” It also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s objections to Al Jazeera, calling it an “incitement to terrorism.”

Jessica Carpenter is a Content Intern at AllSides. She has a Center bias.

This piece was edited and reviewed by Andy Gorel, News and Social Media Editor (Center), Olivia Geno, News and Bias Assistant (Lean Right), Evan Wagner, News Editor and Product Manager (Lean Left), and Henry A. Brechter, AllSides Editor-in-Chief (Center).