The UAE Government has issued a Federal Decree-Law establishing the National Media Authority as a federal entity affiliated to the UAE Cabinet.
The Authority will replace the UAE Media Council, the National Media Office, and the Emirates News Agency (WAM) in their functions, rights, obligations and legislative texts, including those in existing contracts, agreements or memoranda of understanding.
The legislation aims to consolidate national media directions and messages, align media policies across federal and local entities through coordinating efforts, and unify the UAE’s media discourse on national and international levels.
UAE Federal Decree-Law creates National Media Authority for unified media strategy
The Decree-Law outlines the competencies of the National Media Authority, which include proposing the UAE’s media tones and messaging, coordinating with UAE media entities to consolidate their efforts and align policies at federal and local levels.
The Authority will organise and advance the UAE’s national media sector. It will propose and develop policies, legislation, and strategies to guide the sector’s advancement and enhance the standing and reputation of the UAE.
The Authority is responsible for proposing regulations and standards to organise and licence all media outlets and their activities. This scope includes digital media and publishing, and entities operating within free zones.
Following the UAE Cabinet’s approval of these measures, the Authority will supervise their implementation.
National Media Authority given powers to licence and monitor UAE media content
The Authority’s functions will extend to establishing media content standards in coordination with authorities. It will observe all media content printed, broadcast, posted, or aired within the UAE, including in free zones. It is tasked with developing, assessing, and overseeing the national media narrative to contribute to enhancing its image.
The Authority will develop and implement plans, mechanisms and measures to respond to media crises, as well as develop solutions to address or manage them in coordination with authorities.
It will focus on developing capabilities, mechanisms, and methods that support the national media ecosystem’s detection of crises arising from digital media threats, media content, and fake news.
UAE creates National Media Authority to enhance international media standing
The Decree-Law tasks the Authority with developing WAM as the channel to support the publication, distribution and translation of news. It grants the Authority the power to establish a network of correspondents and media offices.
The Authority is mandated to archive local and international news and press articles as well as produce news services and media content.
It is mandated to train and qualify national media talent, those working for the agency, collecting and distributing news in languages around the world.
The Authority is assigned the task of registering, licensing, and accrediting foreign media representatives in the UAE, including in free zones, overseeing and presiding over UAE media delegations during visits abroad, and representing the UAE in media forums across international and regional levels, in accordance with the directives issued to it by the UAE Cabinet, and in coordination with authorities.
The legislation defined the powers of the head of the authority, stipulated the appointment of a deputy head, and authorised the authority to have a board of trustees, whose formation would be determined by a UAE Cabinet resolution.
The Decree-Law stipulated the appointment of a secretary-general for the authority and defined his responsibilities, which include ensuring the implementation of the authority’s policies, strategies, legislation, and regulations.
The decree-law authorised the authority to own and establish limited liability companies or to own shares or stakes in companies, subject to the Cabinet’s approval.
