UAE To Introduce New Law to Regulate Media

Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth, told members of the FNC on Tuesday that her ministry is currently preparing a new draft law to amend Federal Law No. 15 of 1980 regarding media and publications.

"In preparing the new draft law, we will consider that it keeps pace with technological progress and modern media alongside traditional media. This is through direct communication with the concerned authorities and people with expertise in the media field so that the law comes out in the best way possible and in proportion to the current time,” said Al Kaabi.

There are three main oversight tasks for the Strategic Monitoring Department at the Media Regulatory Office.

The tasks will include following up and monitoring all publications issued in the country, including print, visual and electronic media content.

This also involves preparing plans to follow up on the media content provided within the country, monitoring and following up reports of the media content that are periodically broadcasted and published and thereafter submitting them to the concerned authorities to deal with them.

“The strategic monitoring department periodically submits reports on what is published by various communication channels, including online content, evaluates its negative and positive effects. Al Kaabi added.

"Those [contents] found in violation of the rules are submitted to the relevant authorities to take appropriate action,” she said.