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 Times of Dubai as Right-Center Biased due to uniformly positive coverage of UAE government initiatives and avoidance of critical reporting on sensitive issues. We rate its Factual Reporting as Mixed due to weak external sourcing, a lack of ownership transparency, and censorship issues.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: RIGHT-CENTER (4.0)
Factual Reporting: MIXED (5.5)
Country: United Arab Emirates
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: TOTAL OPPRESSION
Media Type: Website
Traffic/Popularity: Minimal Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: MEDIUM CREDIBILITY
History
Times of Dubai is an online news portal focusing on the UAE, Dubai, and the Middle East. Unlike traditional UAE media outlets like Khaleej Times or Gulf News, which were launched in 1978, Times of Dubai operates exclusively online. The publication describes itself as “a leading UAE news portal providing up-to-date UAE News, Dubai news, world & sports news” and maintains an active social media presence. The outlet operates under the same strict controls that shape the UAE’s media, where print journalism is generally subordinate to government and ruling family influence.
Read our profile on UAE’s media and government.
Funded by / Ownership
Times of Dubai doesn’t disclose its ownership or funding sources. The publication’s revenue streams appear to include digital advertising and sponsored content, though specific funding sources are not publicly disclosed. Their Editorial Policy states they maintain separation between advertising and editorial content, claiming “Ads and editorial? Never mixed.
Analysis / Bias
Times of Dubai operates within a challenging media environment where the UAE ranked 164th out of 180 countries in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, with Reporters Without Borders citing heavy media censorship.
They publish articles that consistently promote government initiatives and development projects. For instance, the piece “Dubai’s New Airport: Al Maktoum International Set to Transform Air Travel by 2032” praises Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s $35 billion airport project without discussing its costs or other challenges. Similarly, “UAE Tourism Industry Shatters Records: Revenue Soars Past $70 Billion in 2024” celebrates tourism milestones without a critical analysis of sustainability or social impacts. Lastly, “Viral Robot In Dubai Becomes Symbol Of UAE’s Robotics Future” and “Dubai Airport AI Smart Corridor: Redefining Seamless Travel” cover government technology initiatives with consistently positive framing. Regarding sourcing. Most articles lack direct hyperlinks to supporting sources.
In summary, the Times of Dubai consistently maintains a pro-government editorial stance, offering predominantly positive coverage of UAE leadership initiatives and development projects. The publication avoids critical reporting on sensitive issues such as human rights, labor conditions, and political dissent—areas where UAE media faces significant regulatory constraints under Federal Decree Law No. 34 of 2021 on Combatting Rumors and Cybercrimes.
Failed Fact Checks
- None by a third-party fact checker.
Overall, we rate Times of Dubai as Right-Center Biased due to uniformly positive coverage of UAE government initiatives and avoidance of critical reporting on sensitive issues. We rate its Factual Reporting as Mixed due to weak external sourcing, a lack of ownership transparency, and censorship issues. (M. Huitsing 09/22/2025)
Source: https://timesofdubai.ae/
Last Updated on September 22, 2025 by Media Bias Fact Check
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Left vs. Right Bias: How we rate the bias of media sources