New UAE media law: Who needs to comply; offences, fines, all you need to know
As of May 29, a new media law has come into effect in the UAE, ushering in a wide-ranging regulatory framework aimed at fostering responsible media practices, protecting public interest, and promoting social cohesion. The law introduces several detailed provisions that affect how media is produced and shared in the UAE.
Here's a clear breakdown of what it covers and what it means for media outlets, influencers, and content creators:
What the law aims to do
The new law sets out clear media standards to:
To whom the law applies
The provisions apply to:
The law also explicitly offers protection for media professionals, signalling the government's intention to support ethical journalism and influencer work that complies with licencing rules.
Who needs to comply?
Under the law, the following are clearly within scope:
Licenced media outlets (TV, radio, digital, print)
Content creators producing promotional or journalistic material within the UAE
Influencers earning revenue through content or advertising
Foreign correspondents working in the UAE or reporting on the UAE
Entities in free zones
Offences and fines
The law lists a wide range of violations, with fines based on severity and recurrence. Some key examples include:
Respect for religion and the state
Disrespecting Islamic beliefs or other religions: up to Dh1 million
Insulting state symbols or leadership: up to Dh500,000
Undermining national unity or foreign relations: up to Dh250,000
Content-related violations
Publishing false information or harmful content: Dh5,000–Dh150,000
Promoting destructive ideas or insulting youth: up to Dh100,000
Inciting criminal behaviour (murder, rape, drug abuse): up to Dh150,000
Licencing violations
Operating media activities without a licence:
First offence: Dh10,000
Repeated offence: Dh40,000
Practicing additional media activity without approval:
First offence: Dh5,000
Repeated offence: Dh16,000
Failure to renew licence within 30 days: Dh150/day, capped at Dh3,000
What should you do to stay compliant?
Where can professionals go to get licenced or stay compliant?
To help professionals navigate these requirements, the UAE Media Council offers a wide range of licencing and content-related services on its official platform. These services are designed to simplify compliance for individuals and institutions working in media, advertising, and digital content.
Licencing and content regulation services include:
For institutions and individuals:
Licencing for digital media, news platforms, and advertising services
Permits for audio/visual blogging and influencer activity
Licencing and renewal for visiting individuals creating content in the UAE
For content-related activities:
Script approvals for theatre, TV, and film
Newspaper and magazine distribution permits
Publication circulation permits (local and international)
Video game and foreign media trading permits
Self-monitoring tools for internal content review
These services are meant to encourage early compliance and help media workers stay on the right side of the law while continuing to produce quality, responsible content.
Services can be explored and applied for at the UAE Media Council website: https://uaemc.gov.ae/en
Who issues the fines?
A Media Content Standards Violations Committee will handle enforcement. It is a permanent committee established within the UAE Media Council and composed of 3 to 7 media specialists.
Can you appeal a fine?
Yes. The law outlines a grievance process:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
28 minutes ago
- Khaleej Times
'No one wants war': Indian, Pakistani expats in UAE stay up all night as tensions escalate
Mansoor Khan, a Pakistani expat from Mirpur in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, spent the night on his phone, his eyes glued to the news and his ears listening for calls from relatives in his hometown and other places. 'I couldn't sleep. I was looking through news websites and videos every few minutes just to see if my family was okay. We live in a peaceful area, but when missiles are flying, nothing feels safe,' he said. Mansoor works in a car rental company in Dubai and has lived in the UAE for eight years — but his heart is back home. As soon as he heard that India had fired missiles and Pakistan had responded with airstrikes, he went into panic mode. 'I am not interested in politics or who is right or wrong. I just want everyone to be safe. I want my Indian friends to be safe too. War benefits no one.' India attacked nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistani Kashmir on Wednesday, targeting 'terrorist infrastructure'. At time of publishing, eight civilians — including at least one child — were killed in the strikes, while 35 were reported injured. Pakistan has called the attack an 'act of war' and promised it won't 'take long to settle the score'. The strikes come as India blamed its neighbour for the violence in Pahalgam last month in which 26 tourists were killed. Pakistan has denied responsibility. News of military strikes between India and Pakistan started circulating early on Wednesday morning. By 1am, social media was flooded with photos, updates, and messages of concern. Many expats from both sides of the border stayed up all night, texting family and friends or just scrolling. Several flights from Pakistan to Dubai were either cancelled or delayed for hours on Tuesday, increasing the sense of anxiety that expat communities in the UAE were feeling. Rameela Ahmed, a Pakistani mother of two who lives in Sharjah, said she was crying herself to sleep. 'We had our dinner and family time and slept around 10.30pm. When my husband got up to drink water, he saw a notification on a news app of a military strike between the two countries. I just kept checking on my parents in Lahore. We have seen this kind of thing before, but now I have kids, and the fear hits differently,' she said. 'Even my Indian neighbour came over to check in on us. We were both shaken,' she added. Fears of war The fear of an all-out war is what's making many people from both sides of the border nervous. Amardeep Singh, a finance professional from Amritsar, said he stayed up till dawn. 'I was supposed to sleep early because I have a meeting today, but how can I? We don't know what's going to happen next,' he said. The Indian expat has been working in Dubai for over 12 years. He believes that dialogue is the only way forward. 'We may have different governments, different histories, but people on both sides are the same. No one wants war. Everyone just wants peace, safety, and a normal life. I have many good Pakistani friends here and we all are praying that this stops soon.' Of all the expats Khaleej Times spoke to, the overwhelming sentiment was clear: neither side wanted conflict. 'We have lived as neighbours here in the UAE for decades,' said Singh. 'We celebrate Eid together, work in the same companies, and our kids go to school together. No one here wants war.'
Khaleej Times
an hour ago
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Before realising theft, shop owner gets Dh123,000 worth of stolen products back
The Al Raffa Police Station in Dubai surprised a shop owner by returning Dh123,000 worth of stolen medical products after apprehending a gang responsible for the theft. The gang had been stealing multiple times from a warehouse, all without the owner's knowledge or any reports of suspicious activities. Brigadier Ghalib Al Ghafli, acting director of Al Raffa Police Station, said the discovery of the crime resulted from the efforts of the 'Intelligence and Security Teams' Unit in collaboration with investigative officers at the station. He said the team was created to identify security gaps, gather intelligence, and address local issues—all aimed at enhancing safety and public trust in the police while reducing crime rates. LtCol Ali Al Awar, head of the General Duty Section at Al Riffa Police Station and head of the 'Intelligence and Security Teams' Unit, explained that while the team was carrying out their duties in collaboration with the station's investigations department to enhance security and safety in the jurisdiction area, they observed a gathering of suspicious individuals and took appropriate legal action against them. 'During the investigation, they discovered the individuals suspiciously had medical products and pills. When questioned about their origin and the large quantity, they confessed to stealing them from a medical supply store's warehouse multiple times without anyone noticing,' he continued. Al Awar confirmed that the "Intelligence and Security Teams" spoke with the store owner, who stated that neither he nor any staff knew the store was experiencing multiple thefts. He mentioned that after conducting an inventory of the stolen medical products, it was found that the total value of the thefts reached Dh123,000. Al Awar also indicated that upon reviewing the surveillance footage from the warehouse, the suspects were seen committing the theft. 'Additionally, investigations revealed their involvement in other theft cases. The resolution of this case underscores the effectiveness of these ongoing efforts,' he added. Al Ghafli said, 'The 'Intelligence and Security Teams" unit has achieved several significant milestones in the Al Raffa Police Station area since its establishment in 2023. These include receiving 1,333 security tips, successfully resolving 738 cases, and earning 27 certificates of appreciation from various internal and external organizations for its efforts in combating crime and addressing negative trends.'
Khaleej Times
3 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Gang jailed, fined Dh541,000 for stealing nearly 500 phones from store
A criminal court in Dubai has sentenced six Asian men for stealing 496 smartphones from an electronics shop in Naif. The court also handed down one-year jail term for each of them plus a collective fine of Dh541,000, equivalent to the value of the stolen items. Four of the defendants were tried and sentenced in person, while two others were convicted in absentia. The court also ordered their deportation after serving their sentences. The case dates back to January this year, when the shop owner filed a complaint after receiving a call from a neighbouring shopkeeper, alerting him that the store's front door had been vandalised and the locks smashed. When the owner arrived, he discovered that nearly 500 newly-purchased mobile phones had been stolen. Security camera footage revealed one of the suspects entering the store, inspecting the shelves, and collecting phones into a bag while others waited outside. The group then fled in a taxi. Police investigation The Dubai Police team was able to identify and apprehend four suspects. A raid on one of their homes led to the recovery of 236 mobile phones. One of the suspects admitted that the seized phones were part of the stolen shipment. Others confessed they carried out the break-in with the help of a fugitive accomplice who informed them that the shop had received a shipment worth more than Dh500,000. All six men were convicted of theft. The Dubai Criminal Court issued its ruling with a one-year sentence and financial penalties, followed by mandatory deportation. The case highlights the swift action and efficiency of Dubai Police in tracking down offenders and recovering stolen goods.
