The UAE Media Council has unveiled a sweeping new system to regulate, empower, and accelerate the growth of the country’s media sector, marking a major step in modernising the regulatory framework and positioning the UAE as a global media leader.
Announced at a press conference held today at Creators HQ in Emirates Towers, Dubai, the initiative builds on the momentum of the Council’s formation in February 2023 and the introduction of the landmark Media Regulation Law—the first in over four decades.
Mohammed Saeed Al Shehhi, Secretary-General of the UAE Media Council, described the system as a transformative shift that integrates updated legislation, comprehensive media services, and sector-specific policies.
“It’s a future-proof approach developed in collaboration with government bodies, media organisations, and international experts to foster innovation, attract investment, and empower talent,”
he said.
Al Shehhi highlighted that the framework is designed to strengthen the UAE’s media competitiveness regionally and globally. Key elements include content standards that uphold national values, strategic incentives for content creators, and streamlined procedures to stimulate sustainable sector growth.
Maitha Al Suwaidi, CEO of Strategy and Media Policies at the Council, emphasised the system’s focus on creating a flexible and modern media environment. Among the new measures is a regulation targeting social media advertising, offering content creators a three-year exemption from permit fees and introducing quality controls to build public trust.
Additional initiatives include a digital content age-rating system, licensing frameworks for online news platforms, and fee exemptions to support Emirati creatives. Al Suwaidi described the launch as a pivotal moment in shaping a professional, transparent, and impactful media ecosystem aligned with the UAE’s national vision.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
