Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Barrack: We call upon Druze, Bedouins, and Sunnis to put down their weapons and together with other minorities build a new and united Syrian identity building peace and prosperity with their neighbors
US Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa supported by the US have agreed to a ceasefire embraced by Türkiye, Jordan, and their neighbors
YAF spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree: We carried out a top-tier operation targeting Ben Gurion Airport in Lydd with a Palestine 2 hypersonic ballistic missile
Israeli media: Israelis in the Gush Dan area and al-Quds were asked to enter shelters immediately
Sirens sound in Tel Aviv and occupied al-Quds after a missile was launched from Yemen
Sheikh Qassem: We are ready to defend ourselves if 'Israel' attacks us in a way that we believe calls for us to defend ourselves
Sheikh Qassem: "Israel" will never be handed over our weapons
Sheikh Qassem: He who refuses so and accepts humiliation, that is their own business, but for us, we will not accept humiliation. We have made great sacrifices, and our strength has helped us achieve this result
Sheikh Qassem: Be patient with the issue of exclusivity of arms with the state in the face of the great danger that will not spare Lebanon; let us speak with one voice and work for the sake of priority
Sheikh Qassem: Lebanon faces three real dangers: 'Israel', ISIS tools on the eastern border, and US tyranny

Vice's censorship concerns: Blocking stories that could upset MBS

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: The Guardian
  • 15 Aug 2023 09:36
3 Min Read

A new report by The Guardian unmasks that Vice has recently entered into a profitable agreement with the Saudi government-affiliated MBC Group.

  • x
  • A picture taken on December 16, 2020 shows newly constructed towers in Ryadh, the Saudi Arabian capital and main financial hub. (AFP)
    A picture taken on December 16, 2020, shows newly constructed towers in Riyadh, the Saudi Arabian capital and main financial hub (AFP)

Vice, a major media conglomerate, is facing allegations of suppressing news stories that could provoke the ire of the Saudi government, The Guardian reported.

This situation has raised concerns among the conglomerate's journalists who fear that their ability to report independently on human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia is being compromised. Such worries have emerged following Vice's partnership with the MBC Group, a media entity controlled by the Saudi government, to establish a collaborative venture in Saudi Arabia, as per The Guardian.

It's worth noting that a considerable portion of Vice's job openings is now based in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.

The report focused on multiple reported cases where Vice's critical news pieces about Saudi Arabia were either delayed or scrapped.

Reportedly, this occurred due to interventions by high-level Vice executives who cited the safety of their colleagues based in Saudi Arabia as a top priority. Consequently, internal concerns have arisen within the company, hinting that the content may be influenced by Saudi financial interests.

In further detail, a Vice documentary focusing on Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was removed from the internet, citing concerns about the security of employees in Saudi Arabia. Despite Vice's earlier suspension of operations in Saudi Arabia after the tragic murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the company is now returning to the country through a collaborative endeavor.

The influence of Vice's partnership with a Saudi-backed publisher has even extended to its London office. Here, a picture from the Sarah Everard memorial protest that was hung on the wall for so long was taken down and replaced by a map of Saudi Arabia, a move attributed to employees connected to the Saudi joint venture, as per the report.]

Vice's pivot toward generating lifestyle-oriented content and its acceptance of Saudi funding has led to concerns about the potential erosion of its editorial independence. While Vice alleged that the editorial freedom of its news staff in Western nations will be preserved, reports indicate that corporate executives may have intervened to modify editorial decisions related to Saudi Arabia coverage.

The core objective of Vice's joint initiative is allegedly to produce digital content in Arabic centered around modern Arab youth culture, with an emphasis on lifestyle topics rather than news reporting. Allegedly, the former head of Vice's news division conveyed to employees that they were free to depart if they felt uncomfortable about Vice's association with Saudi Arabia. He stressed the company's commitment to fostering transformation in the region.

Saudi Arabia's significant financial influence has spurred a variety of business dealings and investments, including those in sports and media. While Saudi Arabia strives to rebrand itself as a hospitable tourist destination and diversify its economic portfolio beyond oil, concerns persist about its human rights record. The country's substantial economic clout empowers it to exert influence across diverse sectors, most notably the realm of media.

  • Vice
  • media coverage
  • Freedom of Speech
  • Whitewashing
  • Media Outlets
  • Saudi Arabia
  • MBS

Most Read

Algerian nurse stabbed in Germany

Murder of Algerian nurse in Germany sparks outcry, demands for justice

  • Europe
  • 14 Jul 2025
Credible reports, including some from Israeli media itself, indicate that Tel Aviv had pinned its hopes on what can only be described as a delusional plan. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Jebraily: Iran strikes rewrote regional deterrence rules - Exclusive

  • MENA
  • 15 Jul 2025
Al-Qassam Brigades fighters confront Israeli soldiers in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

3 Israeli soldiers killed amid Gaza battles: Israeli media

  • Palestine
  • 14 Jul 2025
Al Mayadeen: UN Palestine Inquiry members reportedly resigned

Exclusive: UN Palestine Inquiry members reportedly resigned

  • Politics
  • 15 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The US Capitol, Wednesday, July 16, 2025, in Washington (AP)
Politics

Congress set to weaken oversight on foreign US arms sales

Only quarter of Americans say Trump policies helped them: Poll
US & Canada

Only quarter of Americans say Trump policies helped them: Poll

UK charities fund Israeli settlement expansion in occupied West Bank
Palestine

UK charities fund Israeli settlement expansion in occupied West Bank

Calls grow to remove Netanyahu from High School hall of fame
Politics

Calls grow to remove Netanyahu from high school Hall of Fame

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS