United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has issued two federal decrees appointing Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed as chairman of the National Media Authority and Mohammed Saeed Al Shehhi as vice chairman, state news agency WAM reported on Tuesday.
Al Hamed has previously served as chairman of the UAE Media Council and as head of the National Media Office, and has held senior leadership roles across the media, healthcare and energy sectors.
Al Shehhi previously served as secretary-general of the UAE Media Council and has held leadership positions in the media industry, specialized economic zones, and sports.
The National Media Authority is responsible for overseeing and regulating the UAE’s media sector, shaping national media policy, and supporting the development of a professional, competitive and digitally advanced media ecosystem. It plays a central role in aligning media regulation, content standards and industry growth with the country’s broader economic and cultural objectives
In comments published on social media, Al Hamed said the establishment of the National Media Authority was intended to go beyond regulation, describing it as a catalyst to unify the national media voice and project the UAE’s story globally through a forward-looking approach rooted in national identity, WAM said.
He said the UAE leadership viewed media as a core pillar of sustainable development and a strategic tool to safeguard achievements and strengthen the country’s international reputation.
Al Hamed thanked Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed for the confidence placed in him, saying the appointment carried a national responsibility to help build a modern and globally competitive media sector aligned with the UAE’s ambitions.
He also credited the directives of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister, and the continued support of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister, for enabling recent advances in the country’s media landscape.
Looking ahead, Al Hamed said the authority would focus on strengthening professional standards, developing national media talent, empowering youth, expanding partnerships with local and international media organisations, and supporting innovation in content production.
