IHA News Agency is rated Right-Center with Mixed factual reporting by Media Bias Fact Check.
RIGHT-CENTER BIAS
These media sources are slight to moderately conservative in bias. They often publish factual information that utilizes loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by appeals to emotion or stereotypes) to favor conservative causes. These sources are generally trustworthy for information but may require further investigation. See all Right-Center sources.
- Overall, we rate İhlas Haber Ajansı Right-Center biased based on ownership control by a conservative media conglomerate with close ties to the Turkish government and editorial choices that favor government perspectives. We rate them Mixed for factual reporting due to selective story coverage, loaded language in political reporting, and framing aligned with government positions, despite accurate reporting on uncontested factual matters.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: RIGHT-CENTER (4.0)
Factual Reporting: MIXED (4.8)
Country: Turkey
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: LIMITED FREEDOM
Media Type: News Agency
Traffic/Popularity: Medium Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: MEDIUM CREDIBILITY
History
İhlas Haber Ajansı (İHA) is a Turkish news agency based in Istanbul. It was founded in 1994 by İhlas Holding under conservative businessman Enver Ören. İHA distributes news content to Turkish newspapers, television channels, and digital platforms. The agency covers politics, economy, world news, sports, and security, with a focus on Turkey, the Middle East, Russia, Central Asia, and Turkic states.
Please read our review of Turkey’s media and government.
Funded by / Ownership
İhlas Haber Ajansı is listed on Borsa Istanbul under the ticker IHAAS after its October 2021 IPO. İhlas Yayın Holding A.Ş. owns 49.22 percent, İhlas Gazetecilik A.Ş. owns 16.40 percent, and the public float is 34.38 percent. The agency is part of the İhlas Media Group, which also owns the conservative Türkiye newspaper and TGRT television. Revenue comes from subscription fees, production services, and advertising. The parent İhlas Holding operates across media, construction, education, and healthcare sectors.
Analysis / Bias
İhlas Haber Ajansı generally prioritizes government‑focused news and adopts pro‑state framing. Opposition criticism receives less visibility. In its report titled “Ömer Çelik’ten Özgür Özel’e tepki: “Siyasi zorbalığa ve siyasi eşkıyalığa asla izin vermeyiz” on Ömer Çelik’s remarks about CHP leader Özgür Özel, the agency highlights Çelik’s accusations while only briefly mentioning Özel’s original statements, reflecting a pattern in which government voices are given more prominence.
This pattern in news framing aligns with the outlet’s ownership dynamics. İhlas Holding Chairman Ahmet Mücahid Ören’s close access to President Erdoğan, illustrated by their March 2025 meeting at the Presidential Complex, reinforces the agency’s alignment with government priorities. Academic research on Turkish media likewise places İhlas within the pro‑government media bloc alongside Kalyon (Sabah), Demirören, and Ciner.
Economic coverage highlights government achievements such as “Bakan Bayraktar: “Sadece güneşte son 13 yılda sıfırdan 26 bin 769 megavatlık bir kurulu güce eriştik” and downplays negative indicators. Reports on inflation, currency depreciation, and economic policy carry government explanations and framing. Foreign policy coverage aligns with Turkish government positions on Syria, NATO, the European Union, and relations with Russia and Israel.
Factual reporting on uncontested events like accidents, such as “Öndeki aracı sollamak isteyen motosikletli istinat duvarından yere çakıldı: 2 yaralı” weather, sports, and routine news is generally accurate. The agency follows professional standards in news gathering. However, accurate reporting coexists with selective story choice, omission of context, and consistent framing favorable to the government and conservative establishment. The agency has not been widely cited by independent international fact-checkers for false claims, though Turkey’s constrained press environment limits independent oversight.
Failed Fact Checks
- None to date.
Overall, we rate İhlas Haber Ajansı Right-Center biased based on ownership control by a conservative media conglomerate with close ties to the Turkish government and editorial choices that favor government perspectives. We rate them Mixed for factual reporting due to selective story coverage, loaded language in political reporting, and framing aligned with government positions, despite accurate reporting on uncontested factual matters. (M. Huitsing 05/30/2026)
Source: https://www.iha.com.tr/
Last Updated on May 30, 2026 by Media Bias Fact Check
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