UAE Media Council cracks down on content violating national guidelines

Abu Dhabi: The UAE Media Council continues its crackdown against media content violating the national standards.

The Counsel blocked more than 9,000 pieces of media content that violated its regulations in 2024. This enforcement effort was part of a broader initiative to protect the public from harmful or inappropriate media content, while fostering a positive and responsible media environment.

The move, announced during the Federal National Council (FNC) session in Abu Dhabi, underscores the country’s commitment to maintaining high standards in its media landscape.

The Council also revealed plans to launch a national platform aimed at monitoring content violations, a move designed to engage UAE residents in upholding the integrity of the media space.

Inspections

As part of its ongoing efforts, the Media Council conducted over 6,600 inspections of media-related establishments and maintained daily monitoring to ensure that all publications were properly licensed.

The Council approved 149 scripts for television series, films, and plays, all of which aligned with UAE media standards. The report highlighted a significant decrease of over 95% in harmful content, alongside an impressive 85% increase in positive media coverage.

National platform for monitoring violations

One of the major initiatives announced by the Media Council is the development of a national platform to track media violations. This platform will be designed to encourage widespread participation from all sectors of UAE society, empowering citizens to report unsafe or misleading content. By enhancing transparency and engagement, the platform aims to protect the public from harmful material while promoting media that reflects the nation’s values and ideals.

FNC recommendations

In the same session, the FNC’s Committee on Education, Culture, Youth, Sports, and Media presented an extensive report that included 8 observations and 11 recommendations aimed at strengthening government media, improving content regulation, and reinforcing national identity.

Key observations highlighted by the Committee include overlapping responsibilities among media entities, unclear roles impacting efficiency, delays in the implementation of National Media Office responsibilities, and the weakening of the government media’s role in promoting national identity. The report also noted the limited involvement of government media in covering national events and insufficient external media coverage of the UAE’s soft power initiatives.

To address these challenges, the FNC Committee proposed several reforms, including:

Clear delineation of roles and responsibilities for media entities to eliminate confusion

The creation of a single, authoritative media body to coordinate all media activities

Empowering the National Media Office to fully perform its duties

Additionally, the report recommended greater Emiratization of media leadership roles, enhanced training programs for media professionals, and more effective partnerships with international media to showcase the UAE’s achievements globally.

Media strategy for the future

The report emphasised the need to activate a comprehensive national media strategy, including retraining national media professionals and supporting social media influencers who promote positive content. It called for increased protection and freedom for official media sources, along with improved access to accurate and timely information for journalists.

Other key recommendations included the creation of a federal-level media platform or TV channel that would serve as the primary news source for the UAE, as well as a push to involve Emirati media professionals more directly in government media initiatives. The report also highlighted the importance of forming educational partnerships to align media training with job market needs, preparing the next generation of skilled professionals to meet the demands of the rapidly evolving media landscape.