The new authority will have legal personality, as well as financial and administrative independence. It replaces three existing entities; the UAE Media Council, the National Media Office, and the Emirates News Agency (WAM) bringing media regulation, coordination, and oversight under a single body.
The National Media Authority will be responsible for shaping and coordinating the UAE’s strategic media direction and messaging, ensuring alignment between media organizations and national media policies.
Among its key responsibilities, the authority will propose the UAE’s strategic media messaging and coordinate with media institutions to ensure consistency with the country’s media discourse. It will also work to enhance the UAE’s global reputation by assessing media narratives, monitoring coverage, and addressing media-related crises in coordination with relevant authorities.
The authority will propose legislation to regulate and license media outlets and media activities, including digital media and those operating in free zones. It will establish standards for media content in coordination with relevant authorities and monitor all printed, published, posted, and broadcast media content within the country, including content produced in free zones.
In addition, the National Media Authority will oversee the registration and accreditation of media professionals and correspondents from foreign media organization's operating in the UAE.
A key part of its mandate includes developing the Emirates News Agency to strengthen its role as the official channel for publishing, distributing, and translating approved official news.
The authority will also regulate the transmission, broadcasting, redistribution, and use of news from local, regional, and international sources.
The authority will further support media institutions by providing local and international news, articles, reports, and photographs in line with professional journalistic standards and ethical practices.
