Latest news with #MohammedSaeedAlShehhi
Dubai Eye
a day ago
- Business
- Dubai Eye
UAE introduces regulations on social media advertising under new system
Individuals advertising on social media will need to follow new rules under the UAE Media Council's latest comprehensive system that aims to "build public trust, protect audiences and improve the quality of online media content". That's according to an announcement from the UAE Media Council, which said it will also offer support to content creators through a three-year exemption from permit fees. The system aims to regulate, empower and stimulate growth in the media sector and builds on the Media Regulation Law and its Executive Regulation - issued last year. The Council will also implement an age rating system to ensure children and adolescents don't see "inappropriate" content. A new policy for licencing digital news platforms is also being developed that will establish "guidelines to enhance credibility, ensure adherence to journalistic standards, and promote responsible practices within a balanced legal framework". Those who caught violating the regulations could face warnings and fines of up to Dh1 million. With penalties doubled to Dh2 million for repeated violations. Additionally, temporary closure of up to six months or permanent closure may be enforced, along with the revocation of licences or permits. "The new system transforms the way the media sector is regulated and developed, as it combines updated legislation, comprehensive media services, and policies covering various sectors to enhance efficiency and sustainable growth," highlighted Mohammed Saeed Al Shehhi, Secretary-General of the UAE Media Council. In addition, it emphasises resolutions on media service fees, violations and administrative penalties. The system is also prioritising Emirati talent and creative projects within the national media strategy, with fee exemptions for several media services to support local producers, writers and creatives, encouraging content that reflects national identity.
Gulf Today
2 days ago
- Business
- Gulf Today
UAE plans 3-year fee exemption for content creators, age rating system for media content
The UAE Media Council launched a comprehensive system to regulate, empower, and stimulate growth in the media sector. This initiative builds upon the transformative journey initiated with the Council's establishment in February 2023 and the subsequent issuance of the Media Regulation Law and its Executive Regulation. The announcement was made during a press conference, held on Thursday at Creators HQ in Emirates Towers, Dubai, in the presence of Mohammed Saeed Al Shehhi, Secretary-General of the UAE Media Council, and Maitha Al Suwaidi, CEO of Strategy and Media Policies Sector at the UAE Media Council. Mohammed Saeed Al Shehhi emphasised the Council's ongoing commitment to launching a new media system that embodies the UAE leadership's vision for a modern and integrated media landscape. This system aims to drive a transformative shift in the development of the UAE's media sector, ensuring its continued regional and global leadership, as envisioned by the UAE's leadership. Al Shehhi stated, "The new system transforms the way the media sector is regulated and developed, as it combines updated legislation, comprehensive media services, and policies covering various sectors to enhance efficiency and sustainable growth.' Al Shehhi highlighted the Media Regulation Law and its Executive Regulation as a milestone for a new era of competitiveness and leadership for the UAE media sector. As the first media law issued in over 40 years, it establishes a solid foundation for a future-proof media landscape, addressing advancements in digital media, artificial intelligence, gaming, on-demand broadcasting, and other evolving fields. He added, "This system was developed over two years, through close collaboration with federal and local entities, media organisations, content creators, and international experts, reflecting a belief in partnership-based legislation grounded in practical application. This approach ensures responsiveness to change, empowers talent, fosters innovation, and attracts investment.' Furthermore, Al Shehhi noted that the new media system goes beyond establishing frameworks, focusing on content as the core of the industry. "We ensured that it incorporates clear standards for responsible, balanced content that respects values and identity while promoting creativity and impact," he said, emphasising the importance of creative individuals as the foundation of effective media. Al Shehhi concluded, "The goal is to empower the media sector to become a driving force for development and a vital economic engine contributing to the national GDP and enhancing the UAE's regional and global competitiveness. The new system aims to unlock potential, stimulate investment, and empower content creators through a flexible environment, streamlined procedures, incentivising exemptions, and strategic partnerships at both local and international levels." Maitha Al Suwaidi stated that the UAE Media Council is spearheading a transformation of the national media landscape, achieved through a comprehensive legislative roadmap designed to modernise the sector's regulatory framework and create a flexible, contemporary environment. She noted that this environment will both keep pace with global media trends and foster a more impactful and sustainable media industry. Al Suwaidi explained that this roadmap goes beyond traditional legal frameworks, as it includes not only the Media Regulation Law and its Executive Regulation but also a series of policies and regulatory decisions reflecting a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities presented by new media, with the aim of enhancing media practices to ensure they align with the UAE's core values. A key element of this system is a new resolution regulating social media advertising by individuals. This measure aims to build public trust, protect audiences, and improve the quality of online media content. "It also offers concrete support to content creators through a three-year exemption from permit fees," she stated. Furthermore, Al Suwaidi stated that the Council is implementing a comprehensive age rating system for media content to safeguard children and adolescents from inappropriate material, particularly crucial given the rise in digital content consumption. She also noted a new policy for licensing digital news platforms is also being developed, to establish clear professional and regulatory guidelines to enhance credibility, ensure adherence to journalistic standards, and promote responsible practices within a balanced legal framework. Regarding regulations, Al Suwaidi highlighted the adoption of the Cabinet's resolution on media service fees and the resolution on violations and administrative penalties, representing a significant step towards a unified, flexible, and transparent media services system. This user-friendly system aligns with the UAE government's vision for proactive and integrated digital services, streamlining processes for media organisations and content creators within a growth-oriented regulatory environment. She emphasised that the local content empowerment policy is central to this system, prioritising Emirati talent and creative projects within the national media strategy, with fee exemptions for several media services to support local producers, writers, and creatives, and encourage content that reflects national identity and elevates the quality of the media message. In conclusion, Al Suwaidi stated that this new legislative system represents a pivotal moment in the development of a modern Emirati media landscape founded on transparency, professionalism, and quality. It provides media organisations and content creators with a robust regulatory structure that enhances their production capabilities and unlocks opportunities for growth and global competitiveness. WAM
TAG 91.1
2 days ago
- Business
- TAG 91.1
UAE introduces regulations on social media advertising under new system
Individuals advertising on social media will need to follow new rules under the UAE Media Council's latest comprehensive system that aims to "build public trust, protect audiences and improve the quality of online media content". That's according to an announcement from the UAE Media Council, which said it will also offer support to content creators through a three-year exemption from permit fees. The system aims to regulate, empower and stimulate growth in the media sector and builds on the Media Regulation Law and its Executive Regulation - issued last year. The Council will also implement an age rating system to ensure children and adolescents don't see "inappropriate" content. A new policy for licencing digital news platforms is also being developed that will establish "guidelines to enhance credibility, ensure adherence to journalistic standards, and promote responsible practices within a balanced legal framework". Those who caught violating the regulations could face warnings and fines of up to Dh1 million. With penalties doubled to Dh2 million for repeated violations. Additionally, temporary closure of up to six months or permanent closure may be enforced, along with the revocation of licences or permits. "The new system transforms the way the media sector is regulated and developed, as it combines updated legislation, comprehensive media services, and policies covering various sectors to enhance efficiency and sustainable growth," highlighted Mohammed Saeed Al Shehhi, Secretary-General of the UAE Media Council. In addition, it emphasises resolutions on media service fees, violations and administrative penalties. The system is also prioritising Emirati talent and creative projects within the national media strategy, with fee exemptions for several media services to support local producers, writers and creatives, encouraging content that reflects national identity.
Arabian Business
3 days ago
- Business
- Arabian Business
UAE announces new media law in 40 years with MAJOR changes for digital content sector
The UAE has unveiled its first media law in more than four decades as part of a sweeping overhaul of the country's media regulatory framework announced at a press conference in Dubai yesterday. The Media Regulation Law and its Executive Regulation mark a shift towards regulating emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, gaming, and on-demand broadcasting platforms that did not exist when previous media legislation was enacted. Mohammed Saeed Al Shehhi, Secretary-General of the UAE Media Council, told reporters at Creators HQ in Emirates Towers, Dubai, that the new system represents a departure from traditional media regulation approaches and embodies the UAE leadership's vision for a modern and integrated media landscape. New UAE Media Regulation system targets AI, gaming and on-demand broadcasting 'The new system transforms the way the media sector is regulated and developed, as it combines updated legislation, comprehensive media services, and policies covering various sectors to enhance efficiency and sustainable growth,' Al Shehhi said, according to a statement by the Emirates News Agency (WAM). The legislation follows a two-year development process involving what Al Shehhi described as 'close collaboration with federal and local entities, media organisations, content creators, and international experts, reflecting a belief in partnership-based legislation grounded in practical application.' He added that 'this approach ensures responsiveness to change, empowers talent, fosters innovation, and attracts investment.' The Secretary-General emphasised that the regulatory framework goes beyond establishing frameworks, focusing on content as the core of the industry. 'We ensured that it incorporates clear standards for responsible, balanced content that respects values and identity while promoting creativity and impact,' he said, highlighting what he described as the importance of creative individuals as the foundation of effective media. 'The goal is to empower the media sector to become a driving force for development and a vital economic engine contributing to the national GDP and enhancing the UAE's regional and global competitiveness. The new system aims to unlock potential, stimulate investment, and empower content creators through a flexible environment, streamlined procedures, incentivising exemptions, and strategic partnerships at both local and international levels,' Al Shehhi added. Maitha Al Suwaidi, CEO of Strategy and Media Policies Sector at the UAE Media Council, told the conference that the Council is spearheading a transformation of the national media landscape through what she described as a comprehensive legislative roadmap designed to modernise the sector's regulatory framework and create a flexible, contemporary environment. She said this environment will both keep pace with global media trends and foster a more impactful and sustainable media industry. Al Suwaidi explained that the roadmap extends beyond traditional legal frameworks, incorporating not only the Media Regulation Law and its Executive Regulation but also a series of policies and regulatory decisions that reflect what she called 'a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities presented by new media, with the aim of enhancing media practices to ensure they align with the UAE's core values,' according to the statement. A key component of the new system is a resolution regulating social media advertising by individuals, which Al Suwaidi said aims to build public trust, protect audiences, and improve the quality of online media content. The measure also offers concrete support to content creators through a three-year exemption from permit fees, she stated. UAE announces new age rating system following rising concerns over digital content access The UAE Media Council will implement a comprehensive age rating system for media content to safeguard children and adolescents from inappropriate material, which Al Suwaidi described as particularly crucial given the rise in digital content consumption. Officials are also developing a new policy for licensing digital news platforms to establish what they describe as clear professional and regulatory guidelines to enhance credibility, ensure adherence to journalistic standards, and promote responsible practices within a balanced legal framework. The regulatory package includes the Cabinet's resolution on media service fees and the resolution on violations and administrative penalties, representing what Al Suwaidi called 'a significant step towards a unified, flexible, and transparent media services system.' She said this user-friendly system aligns with the UAE government's vision for proactive and integrated digital services, streamlining processes for media organisations and content creators within a growth-oriented regulatory environment. Al Suwaidi emphasised that the local content empowerment policy is central to the system, prioritising Emirati talent and creative projects within the national media strategy. Fee exemptions for several media services will support local producers, writers, and creatives, and encourage content that reflects national identity and elevates the quality of the media message, she explained. She concluded that the new legislative system represents what she described as 'a pivotal moment in the development of a modern Emirati media landscape founded on transparency, professionalism, and quality.' The system provides media organisations and content creators with a robust regulatory structure that enhances their production capabilities and unlocks opportunities for growth and global competitiveness, according to Al Suwaidi. The Media Council was established in February 2023 as part of broader government restructuring aimed at consolidating media oversight under a single regulatory body, building the foundation for what officials describe as this transformative journey.
Hi Dubai
3 days ago
- Business
- Hi Dubai
UAE Media Council Launches New System to Modernise and Grow Media Sector
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
