Gov't bans jail for journalists

NO JAIL: A draft law axing jail sentences for journalists was approved by the UAE’s ministerial legislative committee on Sunday. (Getty Images)

A draft law axing jail sentences for journalists was approved by the UAE’s ministerial legislative committee on Sunday.

The new media legislation means journalists who break the law can now be fined up to 100,000 dirhams ($27,000) instead of being imprisoned, UAE daily Gulf News reported on Monday.

The law holds a journalist and the newspaper liable for any mistake committed by the journalist. The current law issued in 1980 holds the journalist and the editor in chief responsible for any offence committed by a journalist, the newspaper said.

The legislative committee chaired by Hadef Al Daheri, Minister of Justice, approved the federal draft law on media activities, which regulates licensing of newspapers and printing presses.

The draft law requires the Cabinet's approval and the President's signature before it comes into operation.

Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, also vice president and prime minister of the UAE, issued instructions last year that no journalist is to be jailed for reasons related to their work, the newspaper said.

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