UAE creates National Media Authority under new law

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published 1 hour ago |  JP Middle East Desk

The UAE government issued a federal decree law establishing the National Media Authority, consolidating three media entities to unify national media policy, licensing, and content standards.

Summary

ABU DHABI — The United Arab Emirates government issued a federal decree law on December 18 establishing the National Media Authority, a new federal public entity affiliated with the UAE Cabinet. The law consolidates the UAE Media Council, the National Media Office, and the Emirates News Agency (WAM) into a single regulatory authority. Observers say the move reflects a more centralized governance model for national media strategy, regulation, and oversight. 

Authority mandate and responsibilities

The National Media Authority is tasked with unifying national media directions and messaging, coordinating media policy across federal and local entities, and developing and proposing the state’s strategic media approaches domestically and internationally. It will replace the functions, rights, and obligations of the three former bodies. 

The authority is empowered to propose and develop policies, legislation, and strategies to guide the media sector’s advancement and enhance the UAE’s global reputation. It is also responsible for organizing and licensing all media outlets and activities, including digital media and entities operating in free zones. 

Media content oversight and professional accreditation

In addition to policy and licensing roles, the National Media Authority will set and enforce media content standards, monitor all published, broadcast, and online material within the UAE, and enhance mechanisms to address media risks such as misinformation and fake news. It will develop early-detection methods for media crises in coordination with relevant authorities.

The authority will further develop the Emirates News Agency as the official channel for publishing, distributing, and translating approved news. It will establish an international correspondent network, archive local and international news and press articles, and provide news services and content in line with journalistic practices and ethics. Foreign media representatives in the UAE, including those in free zones, will be registered, licensed, and accredited by the authority. 

KEY POINTS:

• The UAE issued a federal decree law on December 18 establishing the National Media Authority under the Cabinet
• The authority consolidates the UAE Media Council, National Media Office, and Emirates News Agency (WAM)
• Its mandate includes unifying national media policy, setting content standards, licensing outlets, and accrediting media professionals
• It will develop WAM as the officially approved news channel and oversee foreign media representation
• The authority will address media risks, monitor content, and support early detection and response to media crises

ATTRIBUTION: Reporting based on official government statements and multiple credible news agency reports

PHOTO: AI-generated; for illustrative purposes only