Abu Dhabi: The UAE government has established a new federal body, the National Media Authority, to oversee and regulate the country’s media sector, the UAE Government Media Office announced on Thursday.
The new authority will be responsible for directing national media messaging, aligning media policies across federal and local entities, and unifying the UAE’s media narrative at both national and international levels.
According to the announcement, the National Media Authority will replace the UAE Media Council, the National Media Office and the Emirates News Agency (Wam), assuming all their functions, rights, obligations and legislative responsibilities.
The authority will license all media outlets and media-related activities across the country, including digital media, publishing platforms and entities operating in free zones. It will also monitor all media content that is printed, broadcast or published within the UAE, including content produced in free zones.
The new body will be tasked with developing and overseeing the national media narrative to enhance the UAE’s global image. It will also handle media crises and support the early identification of risks arising from digital media threats, misleading content and fake news.
As part of its mandate, the authority will further develop the Emirates News Agency as the official channel for publishing, distributing and translating approved government news.
Established in 1976 and based in Abu Dhabi, the Emirates News Agency is among the country’s oldest federal institutions and has operated in both Arabic and English.
The National Media Authority will also have the power to establish an international network of correspondents and media offices, archive local and international news, and produce media content and news services.
In addition, it will register, license and accredit foreign media representatives operating in the UAE, including in free zones, and oversee official UAE media delegations during overseas visits.
The law governing the new authority provides for the formation of a board of trustees, to be appointed by the UAE Cabinet, and the appointment of a secretary general. It also allows the authority to establish or own limited liability companies or hold stakes in such entities, subject to Cabinet approval.
