Reporting without fear or favour. Independent journalism for a world that needs it more than ever.
Our Mission
"To provide independent, rigorous, and consequential journalism that empowers citizens and holds the powerful to account; without fear, favour, or agenda."
The Arena Times was founded on the belief that quality journalism is not a luxury it is the bedrock of democracy. In an era of noise, we choose depth. In an era of partisanship, we choose evidence.
Re-founded in London by a team of veteran journalists from Reuters, the BBC, and AP.
Launched our first international bureau in Washington D.C. during the US presidential election.
Broke the story of the Pandora Papers, earning our first major investigative award.
Reached one million subscribers and opened bureaux in Nairobi, Delhi, and São Paulo.
Awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for our coverage of the global trade crisis.
From a small team with a big idea to a global newsroom
The Arena Times was founded in 2019 by a group of experienced journalists who shared a simple conviction: the world needed more rigorous, independent journalism — not less. Frustrated by the drift toward sensationalism, opinion, and partisan capture in legacy media, they set out to build something different.
We started with six journalists in a rented office in Shoreditch, a modest seed fund, and a commitment to reader-supported journalism long before it was fashionable. Our first major story — an investigation into the use of shell companies by UK-listed firms to evade sanctions — was published in our second week and went on to be cited in two parliamentary debates.
Today, The Arena Times has grown to a team of 48 journalists and editors across six international bureaux. We cover everything from climate science to geopolitics, from financial markets to cultural criticism. What has not changed is our founding principle: that journalism's purpose is to tell people what is true, especially when it is inconvenient.
Built on transparency, guided by evidence, and morality.
Built on transparency, guided by evidence, and committed to sharing what’s real—without compromise.
Independence
We accept no government funding and take no direction from advertisers. Our journalism is funded by subscribers.
Accountability
We measure success not in clicks but in consequence. Journalism that changes policy, frees wrongly imprisoned people.
Accuracy
Every claim we publish is verified. We have a dedicated fact-checking team and a corrections policy that is transparent.
