Journalists 'not pleased with new media law'

Abu Dhabi: The new media law, which was passed by the Federal National Council yesterday is a step backward for the UAE press, journalists told Gulf News.

"The law will impact the image of the country," said Mohammad Yousuf, Secretary General of the UAE Journalists Association, on the sidelines of the FNC session.

"It has nothing to do with the concept media; it contains 45 articles which don't provide a proper description of the media's duties and rights. Similarly, there are 10 articles talking about penalties and punishments."

The official added that the articles of the law are "unclear and they state that explanations can be found in the executive regulations."

Many of the articles are "vague," he said. "According to the law, the National Media Council (NMC) can revoke a newspaper's licence if an offence is repeated," Yousuf said. He hoped the relevant authorities would consider demands of journalists to promote a free media environment. "We will continue to criticise the law," he said.

Dr Aisha Al Nuaimi, a media professor at UAE University, considered the new law a step backward for the UAE media.

"The government is trying to improve political life, and the media law should be in line with that process, but it fails to do so," she said. "The FNC has failed to protect journalists," she stressed. "The law makes it difficult for media outlets to grow as the NMC still has a monopoly over the licensing of newspapers. Revoking the licences is still in the hands of three bodies; the NMC, the Cabinet and Court. This is interfering with the power of the courts," she explained.

She pointed out there is an article in the law on "harming the national economy."