The Dubai Press Club, in cooperation with the National Media Council, held a specialised media workshop yesterday entitled 'Approved Media Content Standards in the United Arab Emirates', as part of its 'Media Workshops' series. The session was presented by Mohammed Saeed Al Shehhi, Deputy Chairman of the National Media Council.
The workshop was attended by Nihal Badri, Secretary-General of the Dubai Media Council; Maryam Al Mulla, Director of the Dubai Press Club; and a group of media professionals, content creators and specialists in the media sector, at the Club's headquarters in Dubai.
On the occasion, H.E. Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice President and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council and President of the Dubai Press Club, praised the efforts of the National Media Council in modernising the legislative and regulatory framework of the media sector in the country — efforts that entrench an advanced media environment conducive to creativity and innovation, and strengthen the United Arab Emirates' competitiveness as a regional and global hub for the media industry.
She said: "The Dubai Press Club, for its part, is committed to providing specialised knowledge platforms that contribute to raising awareness of national media legislation and policies, and to empowering those working in the sector to keep pace with the rapid developments taking place in the media landscape locally and globally.
"This workshop, held in cooperation with the National Media Council, reaffirms the importance of establishing a shared understanding of the approved media content standards in the United Arab Emirates, thereby supporting the production of professional, responsible content that reflects the values of our society and our national identity, and enhancing the country's standing as a leading model in developing a balanced, impactful media sector capable of meeting the future."
Review
During the workshop, Mohammed Saeed Al Shehhi shed light on the legislative framework governing the media sector in the United Arab Emirates, foremost among which is the Media Regulation Law and its new executive regulations approved in 2023. He described it as a modern legislative framework that keeps pace with the rapid transformations in the sector, establishes a flexible, stimulating and investment-attracting media environment, and promotes the production of high-quality local content in line with national values and approved professional standards.
Al Shehhi affirmed that developing responsible media content is a fundamental pillar for building public trust and entrenching a media environment characterised by professionalism and credibility. He noted that the approved standards do not aim to restrict media creativity, but rather to organise and empower it within a clear framework that preserves national identity, protects society, and supports the image, achievements and standing of the United Arab Emirates.
Al Shehhi also outlined during the workshop the key features of the new media framework, which encompasses the Media Regulation Law and its executive regulations, alongside a number of regulatory decisions related to new media sectors — chief among them digital media, electronic games, artificial intelligence, and video-on-demand.
He also reviewed the policies governing the various media sectors, including media content standards, age classification, advertising terms and controls, media content monitoring policy, local content enablement, and the regulation of news platforms — all of which ensure clarity of professional responsibilities for all those working in the sector, whether on traditional or digital platforms.
Mohammed Al Shehhi further addressed, during the workshop, the specific controls for protecting society from harmful content, including limiting the spread of rumours and misleading news, verifying accuracy in reporting by relying on official sources, respecting the privacy and personal lives of individuals, protecting children from inappropriate content, and prohibiting anything liable to incite violence, hatred, discrimination, or harm to social cohesion.
For her part, Maryam Al Mulla, Director of the Dubai Press Club, expressed sincere thanks and appreciation to the Deputy Chairman of the National Media Council for his comprehensive presentation during the workshop of the legislative and regulatory framework governing the media sector in the United Arab Emirates, and for the clarification it provided on the key media content standards and policies regulating media work across various platforms.
Maryam Al Mulla affirmed that this workshop is part of the Dubai Press Club's commitment to providing platforms for direct dialogue and knowledge exchange with national leaders and decision-makers, contributing to raising media professionals' and content creators' awareness of the legislative and professional developments in the sector, and supporting their capacity to produce responsible content that reflects best practices and embodies the values and media mission of the United Arab Emirates.
We value the National Media Council's efforts in modernising the legislative and regulatory framework of the sector.
A shared understanding of media standards promotes the production of professional, responsible content that reflects our national identity.
Responsible media content is a pillar of a professional and credible media environment.
Direct dialogue platforms enhance media professionals' awareness of legislative developments.