Examining opinion journalism in the United Arab Emirates national press: A comparative analysis

Abstract

This study provides a comprehensive examination of the primary characteristics of opinion journalism within two prominent newspapers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Utilizing a content analysis approach, a systematic random sample comprising 560 opinion articles published in 2022 was analyzed from these two printed newspapers in the UAE. The findings unveiled a predominance of male columnists (87%) and a predominant focus on international issues (67%) within opinion journalism featured in the leading UAE newspapers. Interpretation emerged as the primary goal (37%), with political topics ranking highest on the agenda (37%). Noteworthy differences were observed between the newspapers at the individual level, with nearly half of Al-Ittihad’s columnists being local, while The National’s writers exhibited a more international profile. Moreover, issues pertinent to the Emirates garnered less attention in The National compared with Al-Ittihad. In addition, while The National prioritized interpretation, Al-Ittihad leaned toward providing information. Furthermore, The National predominantly addressed political and conflict issues, whereas Al-Ittihad focused on political and social issues. The study’s implications and limitations are deliberated upon in further detail.