ABU DHABI: The UAE media sector has achieved significant and exceptional gains after becoming a leading national government priority in 2023.
The UAE witnessed the issuance of several laws aimed at improving the performance of the media sector and enhancing its role, such as a decree for the creation of the National Media Office (NMO), a decree for the establishment of the National Media Council (NMC), and Federal Decree No.55 for 2023 on media regulation.
In 2023, the UAE solidified its active role in shaping the regional and international media landscape and envisioning its future by hosting and organising the second edition of the Global Media Congress (GMC), and the Global Media Forum as part of the preparatory events for the 12th edition of the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF) in Sharjah, and the 21st edition of the Arab Media Forum (AMF) in Dubai.
Yesterday, a federal decree was issued on media regulation aimed at organising various media activities, enhancing the country’s stature
as an international media hub, fostering an environment conducive to the growth and prosperity of the media sector, and contributing to the creation of a competitive legislative and media investment environment.
The decree allows natural and legal persons to own media institutions and outlets according to specific guidelines and conditions.
In January 2022, a federal decree was issued to establish the NMO to develop the UAE’s media system and enable it to serve the national interest and enhance the country’s media stature regionally and globally.
In February 2022, a federal decree was issued to establish the NMC, overseen by a board of directors chaired by the NMO’s head. The council aims to coordinate media efforts at federal and local levels, in collaboration with government media entities and in line with media policies to highlight the national identity.
The council is responsible for proposing legislation, regulations, standards and policies for regulating and licensing media outlets and activities,
including electronic media and publishing.
In 2023, the UAE became the world’s primary destination for media decision-makers, hosting and organising several prominent media events and activities.
In November, the UAE hosted the second edition of the GMC, with the participation of 172 countries and the notable presence of leaders, experts and media professionals.
The GMC, organised by the ADNEC Group in collaboration with the Emirates News Agency (WAM), highlighted the pivotal role of the environmental media in achieving sustainability and supporting climate issues while focussing on media education, especially the participation of the youth.
Similarly, the Global Media Forum – organised by the Emirates News Agency (WAM) in collaboration with the Sharjah Government Media Bureau last September – discussed the role of the media in highlighting sustainability issues, providing a platform for exploring the role of modern technology in improving the quality of media work, and equipping young national media prof
essionals with skills and future media tools, enabling them to actively support developmental paths.
Additionally, the Dubai Press Club organised the 21st edition of the AMF on 26th and 27th September, which involved more than 75 sessions with over 130 speakers representing some 160 media institutions. The sessions covered various topics related to the future of the Arab media, focusing on two main themes: the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the media and the role of drama and cinema production as soft power complementing media roles.
Source: Emirates News Agency