The UAE Government has issued a Federal Decree-Law establishing and organising the National Media Authority, as a federal public entity affiliated to the UAE Cabinet.
The Authority aims to consolidate national media directions and messages, align media policies across federal and local entities through coordinating efforts, and unify the UAE’s media discourse on the national and international levels.
According to the new legislation, the National Media Authority will replace the UAE Media Council, the National Media Office, and the Emirates News Agency (WAM), in their functions, rights, obligations and relevant legislative texts, including those stipulated in any existing contracts, agreements or memoranda of understanding.
The Decree-Law outlines the competencies of the National Media Authority, which include proposing the UAE's strategic media tones and messaging; coordinating with the UAE media entities to consolidate their efforts and align policies at the federal and local levels.
The Decree-Law tasks the Authority with organising and advancing the UAE’s national media sector. The Authority will also propose and develop policies, legislation, and strategies that will guide the sector's advancement and enhance the global standing and reputation of the UAE.
The Authority is also responsible for proposing the tailored regulations and standards necessary to organise and licence all media outlets and their activities. Finally, it is tasked with developing, assessing, and overseeing the national media narrative to contribute to enhancing its positive image.
According to the Decree-Law, the Authority will develop and implement the necessary plans, mechanisms and measures to efficiently and swiftly respond to any potential media crises, as well as develop appropriate solutions to address or manage them in coordination with the relevant authorities.
It will focus on developing professional capabilities, mechanisms, and methods that support the national media ecosystem's early detection of crises arising from digital media threats, negative or misleading media content, and or fake news.
The Decree-Law tasks the Authority with developing the Emirates News Agency (WAM) as the official channel to support the publication, distribution and translation of the official approved news. It also grants the Authority the power to establish a global network of correspondents and media offices.
The Authority is mandated to archive local and international news and press articles as well as produce news services and media content. It will closely observe all media content printed, broadcast, posted, or aired within the UAE, including in free zones.
