🇸🇦 Okaz

About Okaz

Okaz Newspaper's ownership was transferred to a civil society institution in 1964 following a Royal Decree that ended individual ownership of local magazines and newspapers in Saudi Arabia. The Okaz Organization for Press and Publication issues the daily newspaper. The Saudi royal family is reported to own or control most of the Saudi press.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) consistently ranks Saudi Arabia among the worst countries for press freedom, noting that free media is 'nearly nonexistent' and press institutions are under 'strict state control.' Journalists in Saudi Arabia face heavy surveillance, persecution, and self-censorship, with no real space for editorial independence. Freedom House also rates Saudi Arabia as 'Not Free,' highlighting pervasive surveillance, criminalization of dissent, and severe restrictions on freedom of expression. Okaz has been described as publishing 'bombastic government propaganda' and 'peddling fake news' in alignment with the government's stance, particularly during the Qatar crisis. The headline sample reflects a focus on domestic news, government initiatives, and religious events, consistent with a state-aligned publication.