In his capacity as the Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, has issued Law No. (5) of 2022 establishing the Dubai Media Council.
The law also creates a framework for the council to streamline efforts to develop Dubai’s media sector and enhance its status as a regional and global media hub.
The law stipulates that the Dubai Media Council is the government entity in charge of the media sector in Dubai.
The council will represent Dubai locally, regionally, and globally, and will develop Dubai’s media strategy and oversee its implementation.
It is also tasked with enhancing strategic relations with local, regional and international media organisations, reviewing service fees imposed by the council’s entities, and proposing recommendations to relevant entities for approval.
The entity will also launch and oversee programmes, projects, and initiatives to further promote the development of Dubai’s media sector.
The council will supervise Dubai’s media sector, take decisions, establish new companies either alone or in partnership with a third party, and invest or acquire media companies within the country or abroad.
The law also obliges all government and media entities operating in Dubai to fully collaborate with the council and its subsidiaries and supply all data and information required for it to operate effectively.
Members of the newly established Dubai Media Council
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid also issued Decree No. (10) of 2022, appointing Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum as the chairman of the Dubai Media Council.
Under Decree No. (12) of 2022, the Dubai Ruler formed the Board of Dubai Media Council. Mona Al Marri will serve as the vice chairperson and managing director of the Dubai Media Council.
Other members of the Board include Hala Youssef Badri, Malek Sultan Al Malek, Abdullah Humaid Belhoul, Younes Al Nasser, Amal Ahmed bin Shabib, Issam Kazim, and Mohammed Sulaiman Al Mulla, in addition to the secretary general of the council. The board serves a renewable three-year term.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai and chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, issued Executive Council Resolution No. (22) of 2022, appointing Nehal Badri as the secretary-general of the Dubai Media Council.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed said the Dubai Media Council is keen to work with different players in the sector to support the media in generating high-quality content, as part of its strategy to enhance Dubai’s growth as a media hub. Sheikh Ahmed added that the law heralds a new phase of media industry development in the emirate in line with the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Adopting advanced new technologies and fostering talent are vital to accelerate Dubai’s media’s development journey, Sheikh Ahmed added.
Mona Al Marri said that the law sets out key objectives for the Dubai Media Council, including the development of KPIs for various media establishments and the content they produce.
The law mandates the council to track the progress of the media strategy, promote Dubai’s media competitiveness, and advance the national agenda for the sector’s development.
From the effective date of the new law, the Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO) and its subsidiaries, and Dubai Media Incorporated (DMI) will be part of the Dubai Media Council.
GDMO and DMI will retain their legal status as per the legislations that established them. They will perform their duties under the financial and strategic supervision of the council.
The chairman of the Dubai Media Council will issue the decisions necessary to implement this law, which annuls any other legislation that may contradict it.
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