Latest news with #MediaCouncil
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
UAE to launch media age rating system to protect children
UAE to roll out media age rating system to protect children from harmful content, the Media Council announced Thursday. PHOTO: PIXABAY Listen to article The United Arab Emirates will implement a comprehensive age rating system for media content, aimed at shielding children and adolescents from inappropriate material, the UAE Media Council announced on Thursday. The initiative, which comes amid a surge in digital content consumption, is part of a broader framework launched to regulate and develop the media sector. While the council has not yet specified a timeline for the rollout, officials emphasise its critical importance in a fast-evolving digital landscape. Speaking at the launch, Maitha Al Suwaidi, CEO of Strategy and Media Policies Sector at the UAE Media Council, said the new age classification system builds on existing regulations covering films, video games, comics, and printed material. The expansion will now encompass a broader spectrum of digital and on-demand content. 'This system is crucial given the rise in digital content consumption,' Al Suwaidi said. 'It is designed to safeguard young audiences while creating a more robust and responsible media environment.' The system forms a central part of the UAE's recently introduced Media Regulation Law, hailed as the first comprehensive media legislation in over four decades. Mohammed Al Shehhi, Secretary-General of the UAE Media Council, described the law as a transformative milestone that lays a solid foundation for a future-proof media sector. Developed over two years through collaboration with federal and local agencies, media organisations, creators, and international experts, the new regulatory framework is designed to be dynamic and adaptable to technological changes, including developments in artificial intelligence, gaming, and digital broadcasting. A new resolution regulating social media advertising by individuals, aimed at enhancing transparency, building public trust, and improving the quality of digital content. Three-year permit fee exemptions for social media content creators, offering tangible support to the creator economy. A local content empowerment policy that prioritises Emirati talent and projects, encouraging media that reflects national identity and culture. Fee exemptions for select media services, aimed at supporting local producers, writers, and creatives. Al Suwaidi stressed that empowering national content is a cornerstone of the new strategy. 'We aim to create an enabling environment that nurtures creativity, supports local production, and positions the UAE as a competitive media hub regionally and globally.' The UAE Media Council says the initiative aligns with national goals to make the media sector a vital contributor to the economy, supporting GDP growth, attracting investment, and stimulating innovation. By introducing streamlined procedures, strategic partnerships, and incentivised exemptions, the system aims to unlock the full potential of the media landscape while ensuring content safety and cultural integrity. 'This is not just a regulatory shift,' said Al Shehhi, 'it's a strategic transformation that positions media as a key pillar in the UAE's sustainable development.'
Malaysiakini
5 days ago
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
'Use media council, ombudsman law as avenues to address defamation'
A Bar Council committee member today suggested the upcoming Media Council and the planned Ombudsman Bill as alternative avenues for ordinary citizens to take up their defamation cases. Speaking at a forum in Kuala Lumpur, Bar Council's Civil Law and Law Reform Committee co-chairperson M Ramachelvam, said he agreed with the notion that the defamation law is a rich man's tort...
Malaysiakini
6 days ago
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
'Use media council, ombudsman law as avenues to address defamation'
A Bar Council committee member today suggested the upcoming Media Council and the planned Ombudsman Bill as alternative avenues for ordinary citizens to take up their defamation cases. Speaking at a forum in Kuala Lumpur, Bar Council's Civil Law and Law Reform Committee co-chairperson M Ramachelvam, said he agreed with the notion that the defamation law is a rich man's tort...
Arabian Business
31-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Arabian Business
UAE cinema box office hit $218m last year as e-gaming revenue passed $408m
The UAE cinema sector saw AED800m ($218m) in revenue in 2024, fuelled by increasing audience engagement, and solidifying the nation's reputation as a key player in the film industry and a premier destination for global film premieres. The sector saw 1,262 films screened and 15m tickets sold. Simultaneously, the e-gaming sector experienced significant growth, generating over AED1.5bn ($408m) in revenue in 2024, driven by surging demand for video games. UAE cinema revenue To ensure age-appropriate content, 375 video games were reviewed and classified under the UAE's established age-rating system, adhering to media regulations. Mohammed Saeed Al Shehhi, Secretary-General of the UAE Media Council, said that these achievements reflect the Council's commitment to enhancing the competitiveness of the film and e-gaming industries and strengthening their role in the media and entertainment landscape by developing regulatory frameworks and fostering a business-friendly environment for the growth of entertainment content in the UAE. He explained that several key factors contributed to this growth, foremost among them being the diversity of cinematic content. He said: 'UAE cinemas offer films in more than twenty global languages, reflecting the country's cultural diversity and affirming its status as a global destination for the film industry.' Adding to its allure, the UAE leveraged the early release of global film productions, strategically positioning itself as a market where audiences experience international films in real-time with major global markets. Al Shehhi underscored the UAE Media Council's commitment to monitoring media content and assigning appropriate age classifications to ensure that films and video games align with different age groups. This allows families to select suitable content for their children and enhances public confidence in the quality of cinematic and gaming experiences in the country. He added that the UAE's integrated services and ease of doing business have strengthened its position as a leading hub for the media industry. The country boasts advanced infrastructure, streamlined procedures, and a flexible regulatory system that supports investments in the film and gaming sectors. The Media Council continues to play a central role in boosting the competitiveness of the film and gaming sectors by updating policies and regulations, launching strategic partnerships, and fostering a supportive environment for talent and creativity. This drives growth in both sectors and cements the country's position as one of the world's leading hubs for media content creation.
