The United Arab Emirates – UAE media law that will be imposing severe controls and hefty fines to ensure responsible, ethical content across traditional and digital platforms. This unprecedented law punishes a wide range of offenses, including insulting religious beliefs, spreading falsehoods, and endangering national security, with fines of up to Dh1 million.
Key provisions of the UAE Media law include:
– Fines of up to Dh1 million for disrespecting the Divine Essence, Islamic beliefs, or other heavenly religions.
– Penalties of up to Dh100,000 for breaking public morality or spreading damaging views.
– Fines of up to Dh150,000 for publishing content that encourages major crimes including murder, rape, or drug abuse.
– Administrative fines of Dh50,000 to Dh500,000** for denigrating national symbols, the governance system, or state institutions.
– Fines of up to Dh250,000 may be imposed for content that is harmful to international relations. Same for threatening national unity and social cohesion.
– All media operations are subject to severe licensing regulations, including influencers, journalists, publishers, and digital content providers. With escalating fines and potential license suspensions for operating without legal authority.
Repeat offenders face double fines, suspension, or termination of their media operations. The law also establishes a committee of media specialists to assess offenses and impose fair punishments, as well as a grievance procedure that allows for appeals within specific limits.
Authorities have been actively implementing the UAE Media law across the country. This is demonstrating the country’s commitment to ensuring social harmony, public order, and respect for cultural and religious values in the face of a fast changing media landscape.
This act is consistent with the UAE’s overall policy to professionalize media conduct. It will increase accountability, and protect the country’s social and political fabric in an era of ubiquitous digital communication.
