New media regs: The government has introduced a number of regulations under a new federal law to promote the UAE as a media hub and streamline the Emirati media sector, Wam reports. The decree covers all forms of media, from visual, audio to digital — and also includes production, circulation, printing, and publishing of media content.Chairman of the Media Council Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan approved the law during a meeting of the council’s BoD at the National Media Office headquarters in Abu Dhabi, according to an Abu Dhabi Media Office statement.

The new law is designed to push forward transformation in the media field and provide “incentives to develop an economically impactful content industry… an emerging sector that possesses enormous growth potential, locally and regionally, and can contribute to our media and economic goals,” according to the statement

The lowdown:

  • The legislative framework defines the role of the Emirates Media Council and other government institutions overseeing media regulation.
  • The Emirates Media Council is the sole governing body authorized to issue permits for films, video games, books, and social media content. They are also responsible for determining the age ratings and age restrictions for all forms of published entertainment and media.
  • Individuals working in social media advertising or media content will be granted their licenses to work by the council.
  • The decree emphasized that all media content must align with national standards, including respect religious belief, and protection of the country’s sovereignty, symbols and institutions, and steering clear of any content that provokes violence, breaches state policies, or spreads misinformation.
  • The cabinet will grant practitioners in the media and entertainment industry a one-year grace period, starting from the date the law enters into force, to comply with the new regulations.

New media strategy + framework: The meeting also saw the adoption of the council’s priorities for the next three years, which includes discussing new frameworks, and the acceleration of the modernisation of the media legislative system, the statement said.

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