Iraqi News Agency (INA) is rated Right with Mixed factual reporting by Media Bias Fact Check.
RIGHT BIAS
These media sources are moderately to strongly biased toward conservative causes through story selection and/or political affiliation. They may utilize strong loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by using an appeal to emotion or stereotypes), publish misleading reports, and omit information that may damage conservative causes. Some sources in this category may be untrustworthy. See all Right Bias sources.
- Overall, we rate the Iraqi News Agency (INA) as Right-Biased based on Pro-Government/State news reporting and Mixed for factual reporting, given the country’s weak press freedom environment, lack of editorial independence, and one-sided, government-aligned coverage.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: RIGHT (5.9)
Factual Reporting: MIXED (5.0)
Country: Iraq
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: LIMITED FREEDOM
Media Type: News Agency
Traffic/Popularity: Medium Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: MEDIUM CREDIBILITY
History
The Iraqi News Agency (INA) was founded in March 1959 during the presidency of Abdul Karim Qasim, making it Iraq’s first state news agency and the second in the Middle East after Egypt’s MENA. Initially operating from a small liaison office in Baghdad, INA quickly became the centralized source for all Iraqi newspapers, which were compelled to rely on its official bulletins. The agency was closed after the 2003 U.S. invasion but later re-established. Its headquarters remain in Baghdad.
Read our profile on Iraqi media and government.
Funded by / Ownership
INA is state-owned and operates as Iraq’s official news agency under government oversight. It does not disclose independent funding sources and appears fully financed by the Iraqi state.
Analysis / Bias
INA primarily publishes news favorable to Iraq’s government and leadership. Coverage emphasizes official statements, projects, and international diplomacy, such as reporting on Prime Minister al-Sudani’s infrastructure initiatives or Iraq’s contract with Nokia.
International coverage often mirrors positions aligned with Iraq’s foreign policy and partners, for example, reporting Russia’s opposition to UN sanctions on Iran without presenting countervailing views. Independent or critical voices are absent, reflecting Iraq’s limited press freedom environment, where media face political and security pressures. While INA publishes factual information, it does so selectively and almost exclusively from a pro-government perspective, reducing balance and reliability.
Failed Fact Checks
- We did not locate any direct fact-checks of INA by IFCN-certified organizations.
Overall, we rate the Iraqi News Agency (INA) as Right-Biased based on Pro-Government/State news reporting and Mixed for factual reporting, given the country’s weak press freedom environment, lack of editorial independence, and one-sided, government-aligned coverage. (D. Van Zandt 09/19/2025)
Source: https://ina.iq/en
Last Updated on September 19, 2025 by Media Bias Fact Check
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Left vs. Right Bias: How we rate the bias of media sources