Asharq Al-Awsat
London-based pan-Arab daily published by Saudi Arabia's SRMG
Asharq Al-Awsat is a pan-Arab daily newspaper launched in London in 1978 by Hisham and Mohammed Ali Hafez, with the approval of the Saudi royal family and government ministers. It calls itself "the premier pan-Arab daily newspaper" and also publishes in English. It is published by the Saudi Research and Media Group (SRMG), and Wikipedia names Prince Faisal bin Salman as its owner. Ghassan Charbel is editor-in-chief.Sources:1Wikipedia: Asharq Al-Awsat, Wikipedia (source, opens in a new tab)
SRMG's controlling stakes are held by funds managed by SNB Capital, whose ultimate controlling party is Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund; State Media Monitor rates SRMG "Captured Public/State-Managed". Wikipedia says the paper is noted for its support of the Saudi government.Sources:1Wikipedia: Asharq Al-Awsat, Wikipedia (source, opens in a new tab)4State Media Monitor: Saudi Research and Media Group (SRMG), State Media Monitor (source, opens in a new tab)
Who it favours
Our reading of 1 article by Asharq Al-Awsat on stories with competing sides. A story counts only when two signals point the same way; balanced coverage counts too. How we decide.
- Saudi Arabiafavoured in 1 of 1 story (too few stories yet)
See the evidence
- Saudi Arabia says it downed Houthi missiles aimed at Riyadh and Mecca; Houthis say Saudi strikes killed 11 (24 Oct 2026)
"Saudi Arabia Intercepts Three Missiles Targeting Riyadh, Taif and Yanbu"- Leads with one side: "Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki announced early" Opens with the coalition spokesman and uses the coalition's own name for itself.
- Uses one side's terms: "Houthi militia" Uses the coalition's term throughout; it reports the Houthi allegation only with the coalition's denial and omits the Yemeni casualty reports carried by AFP and Reuters.
- Saudi Arabia says it downed Houthi missiles aimed at Riyadh and Mecca; Houthis say Saudi strikes killed 11 (24 Oct 2026)
Who controls it
Whoever owns an outlet, provides most of its money or directs it controls it. Our rule.
- ReportedControlled by Saudi Arabia's state, through the Public Investment Fund (owner) · Controlled by a government (its owner) Sources:4State Media Monitor: Saudi Research and Media Group (SRMG), State Media Monitor (source, opens in a new tab)
- ReportedControlled by Faisal bin Salman, a son of King Salman and former governor of Madinah (owner) · Controlled by a politician (owner, funder or director) Sources:1Wikipedia: Asharq Al-Awsat, Wikipedia (source, opens in a new tab)2Wikipedia: Faisal bin Salman Al Saud, Wikipedia (source, opens in a new tab)
- ReportedSupports the Saudi government (Wikipedia) · Stance described by a reliable source or study Sources:1Wikipedia: Asharq Al-Awsat, Wikipedia (source, opens in a new tab)
Owners, funders and directors
- OwnerSaudi Research and Media GroupPublisher Sources:1Wikipedia: Asharq Al-Awsat, Wikipedia (source, opens in a new tab)
- OwnerPublic Investment FundUltimate controlling party of SNB Capital, whose funds hold SRMG's controlling stakes (State Media Monitor) Sources:4State Media Monitor: Saudi Research and Media Group (SRMG), State Media Monitor (source, opens in a new tab)
- Government of Saudi Arabia: State investment fund investing on behalf of the government; chaired by the Crown Prince Sources:Wikipedia: Public Investment Fund, Wikipedia (source, opens in a new tab)
- DirectorAbdulrahman Ibrahim AlrowaitaNon-executive chairman of SRMG since May 2021 Sources:5SRMG: SRMG announces board and chairman appointments, SRMG, 23 May 2021 (source, opens in a new tab)
- OwnerFaisal bin Salman Al SaudNamed by Wikipedia as the paper's owner; chaired SRMG 2002–2013 and reportedly held about 7% of it Sources:1Wikipedia: Asharq Al-Awsat, Wikipedia (source, opens in a new tab)2Wikipedia: Faisal bin Salman Al Saud, Wikipedia (source, opens in a new tab)
- Government of Saudi Arabia: Governor of Madinah Province, with ministerial rank (2013–2023) Sources:Wikipedia: Faisal bin Salman Al Saud, Wikipedia (source, opens in a new tab)
- Government of Saudi Arabia: Special adviser to King Salman, with ministerial rank (since 2023) Sources:Wikipedia: Faisal bin Salman Al Saud, Wikipedia (source, opens in a new tab)
- DirectorGhassan CharbelEditor-in-chief Sources:1Wikipedia: Asharq Al-Awsat, Wikipedia (source, opens in a new tab)
As documented, nearest first. Each note says what the source supports.
How we use it
1 story cites Asharq Al-Awsat directly.
October 2026
- Saudi Arabia says it downed Houthi missiles aimed at Riyadh and Mecca; Houthis say Saudi strikes killed 11Saudi authorities said they intercepted Houthi missiles fired toward Riyadh, Taif, Yanbu and the Mecca and Medina regions, while Houthi media said Saudi airstrikes killed 11 people in Sanaa.
Outside left–right raters
For comparison only. Western raters place outlets on a left–right line, which says nothing about whom they favour in a given story or who funds them; our own tally is above.
Media Bias/Fact Check: Right-Center (checked 24 Oct 2026)
Sources
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