More than 2000 new licences, permits issued this year by UAE Media Council
PICTURE: Mohammed Saeed Al Shehhi, Secretary-General of the UAE Media Council, and Maitha Al Suwaidi, CEO of Strategy and Media Policies Sector at the UAE Media Council (UAE government)
Abu Dhabi
Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Office (NMO) and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the UAE Media Council, has reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to strengthening its global position as a leading hub for media production, emphasising that expanding international partnerships in the media sector remains a national priority for the coming phase.
Al Hamed stated that the UAE Media Council, under the directives of the leadership, is advancing flexible policies and regulations that enhance the country’s regional and global competitiveness.
He noted that this approach contributes to solidifying the creative economy as a key pillar of GDP growth, supported by an advanced regulatory framework that keeps pace with global media developments and anticipates future trends with ambition and vision.
His remarks came as he chaired the Council’s second Board meeting of 2025, which reviewed the Council’s performance in the first half of the year and discussed key initiatives, projects and programmes aimed at enhancing regulatory infrastructure and fostering an attractive media ecosystem for investors and creatives.
During the first half of 2025, the UAE Media Council issued
- 2 562 media licences and permits
- including 2 152 media licences
- 235 social media digital media licences
- 103 filming permits, and 72 licences for newspapers and magazines
reflecting the accelerating growth of the media business environment.
In the publishing sector, the Council handled over 514 000 book titles and issued 35 000 distribution permits for books in the local market, while banning 32 titles found to conflict with national values or existing legislation.
In the cinema sector, the Council approved 611 films for screening during the first half of 2025, with total ticket sales exceeding 6-million and generating more than AED309-million (about R1.56-billion) in revenue. Additionally, the Council authorised the distribution of 131 electronic games across the country.
The meeting also reviewed the UAE Media Council’s new legislative framework, designed to enhance governance and foster a flexible regulatory environment that supports growth and aligns with rapid digital transformation
Council members were briefed on the development stages of a new integrated digital platform, currently being developed in partnership with Presight. The platform aims to boost efficiency in licence management, content monitoring and regulatory responsiveness using artificial intelligence and advanced analytics.
Attending the meeting were members of the UAE Media Council:
- Sheikh Abdullah bin Humaid Al Qasimi, Director of Ras Al Khaimah Ruler’s Court (the official office of the Ruler, His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, who is also a Supreme Council Member of the UAE)
- Maryam Al Mheiri, Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Media Office
- Saeed Mohammad Al Eter, Assistant Minister for Strategic Projects at the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs and Chair of the UAE Government Media Office
- Tariq Saeed Allay, Director-General of the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (Sharjah is the third-largest Emirate)
- Dr Saeed Saif Al Matrooshi, Secretary-General of the Executive Council of the Government of Ajman (the subnational authority that governs the Emirate of Ajman, one of the seven constituent monarchies which make up the UAE)
- Mohammed Saeed Al Shehhi, Secretary-General of the UAE Media Council, and
- Maitha Majed Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of the Media Strategy and Policy Sector, and Secretary of the UAE Media Council Board
- This article was first published here
- The UAE Media Council was established in February 2023 by a Federal Decree Law issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and supervised by a Board of directors chaired by His Excellency Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Office, Chairman of the UAE Media Council (UAEMC)
- The Council is responsible for proposing legislation, regulations, standards and principles necessary to regulate and license media outlets and media activities in the UAE including print, digital and electronic publishing, including those operating in free zones, and supervise their implementation after their approval by the UAE Cabinet
- The Council’s mandate includes reviewing and approving media content for all that is printed, published and broadcast within the UAE including those operating in free zones. The Council works on registering and accrediting media professionals and correspondents of foreign media in the country
