FAQ

Where is the UAE Media Council located?

The main building of the UAE Media Council is located in Abu Dhabi, with offices in Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Al Ain.

What is the Information Regulatory Office?

Following the announcement by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the new structure of the federal government, which requires the integration of the National Media Council and the Federal Youth Authority with the UAE Media Council and Knowledge Development to be the UAE Media Council, the Ministry worked to create a new office under the name of the Media Office, thus assuming a number of specialties and functions that were under the responsibility of the former National Media Council.

The Office comprises two main departments: the Department of Media Regulation, which is responsible for preparing forward-looking research and studies related to the field of information, drafting legislation, regulations, standards and foundations for the organization and licensing of media and media activities, licensing management and follow-up of media content, which in turn ensures the application of legislation, regulations and standards relating to media services and media content.

The Office of Information Regulation studies, proposes and formulates the legislation, regulations, standards and foundations necessary to regulate the media sector in the uae.

What sectors of work are managed and supervised by the Ministry?

Federal Youth Authority
National Media Council
Heritage and Arts Sector
Cultural and Creative Industries
The National Commission for Education, Culture and Science

What is the mission of the UAE Media Council?

To preserve the UAE's identity, enhance and strengthen the position of the cultural, youth and media sectors globally and maximize their contribution as productive and effective sectors within the national economy by: - Preserving the national cultural heritage. - Promoting the cultural and creative industries. - Investing and empowering youth. - Regulating the media sector.

What is the vision of the UAE Media Council?

Culture that inspires the world and Youth shaping the future.

What electronic services does the UAE Media Council provide?

The UAE Media Council seeks to provide the best services that enhance its role in improving the UAE's cultural and creative industries, and developing the creative economy in order to consolidate the country’s leadership position in the cultural sector, the most prominent of which are:

Creative Center services include:

Rental service for theaters, halls and ministry spaces.
Library membership grant service.
Office material borrowing service.
Office material borrowing extension service.

Antiquities services include:

Service for the registration of artifacts and archaeological sites.
The service of recording borrowed cultural objects.

Licenses for media activities include:

Granting media licenses to a magazine or newspaper.
Book the name of a magazine or newspaper.
Ground/aerial photography permit.
Permission to enter imaging equipment and machines.
Granting a radio and television broadcast license.

Media material trading permissions include:

Regulating the entry of media outlets through state outlets.
Leave to trade newspapers and magazines.
To print and authorize the circulation of publications and texts.
License to trade works of art.

Accreditation of foreign correspondents.

Where is the UAE Media Council located?

The main building of the UAE Media Council is located in Abu Dhabi, with offices in Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, AL Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Al Ain.

What is the Media Regulatory Office?

After His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced the new structure of the federal government which mandated the merger of the National Media Council and the Federal Youth Authority with the UAE Media Council and Knowledge Development, and its renaming as the UAE Media Council, the Ministry created a new office under the name of the Media Regulatory Office to execute a number of functions and tasks previously under the National Media Council. Media Regulatory Office includes two main departments:

The Media Regulation Department, which is responsible for preparing research and foresight studies related to the media, formulating legislation, regulations, standards and foundations for organizing and licensing media and media activities.

The Department of Media Licenses and Media Content Follow up, which is responsible for issuing licenses and following up on media content. It also implements legislations, regulations, and standards related to media services and media content.

What sectors of work are managed and supervised by the Ministry?

<ul>
<li>Federal Youth Authority</li>
<li>National Media Council</li>
<li>Heritage and Arts Sector</li>
<li>Cultural and Creative Industries</li>
<li>The National Commission for Education, Culture and Science</li>
</ul>

What is the mission of the UAE Media Council?

What is the vision of the UAE Media Council?

Culture that inspires the world and Youth shaping the future

What is the UAE Media Council?

The UAE Media Council (MCY) is a leading governmental authority focused on setting the UAE’s cultural agenda and nurturing creative talent. The Ministry’s mandate is centred around preserving the UAE’s national identity as well as promoting its position on the global cultural map. In line with the country’s aspirations to cement its knowledge-based economy, the Ministry plays a pivotal role in nurturing innovation and creativity in the UAE’s cultural sector and increasing its contribution to the national economy. This objective falls in line with the strategic objective and goals of the UAE Vision 2021, which charts the next stage in the country’s journey with a focus on preserving its rich heritage, sharing knowledge, and innovating.

Given their role in supporting economic development, the Ministry is dedicated to championing, cultivating and supporting the UAE’s creative industries. These encompass disciplines as diverse as cultural intangible heritage, cultural tangible heritage, literature, visual arts, performing arts, design, audio-visual media and digital innovation.

The Ministry works with several entities including the federal and local governments, the private sector, civil society organizations, and media institutions to protect and promote the country's cultural heritage and agenda.

When was the UAE Media Council established?

The Ministry was first established under the name of the Ministry of Information and Culture, according to Article 58 of the temporary constitution of the United Arab Emirates, and under Federal Decree No. 1 of 1972, regarding the functions of the Ministries and the powers of the Ministers.

In 2006, Federal Decree-Law No. 1 of 2006 for amending some provisions of Federal Law No. 1 of 1972, was issued, upon which the Ministry of Information and Culture was cancelled, and the UAE Media Council, Youth and Community Development was developed.

A decade later in February 2016, the Council of Ministers issued a decision to add some specialties and change the name to the UAE Media Council and Knowledge Development.

Who is the UAE Media Council?

Her Excellency Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi was appointed the UAE Media Council in October 2017.

Prior to this, Her Excellency was appointed as the UAE Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs to act as the key link between the Cabinet and the Federal National Council.

Noura Al Kaabi is also Chairwoman of the Media Zone Authority - Abu Dhabi (MZA) and twofour54, President of Zayed University and Chairwomen of ADNEC

What are the services provided by the UAE Media Council?

Creative Center services include:

Rental service for theaters, halls and ministry spaces.
Library membership grant service.
Office material borrowing service.
Office material borrowing extension service.

Antiquities services include:

Service for the registration of artifacts and archaeological sites.
The service of recording borrowed cultural objects.

Licenses for media activities include:

Granting media licenses to a magazine or newspaper.
Book the name of a magazine or newspaper.
Ground/aerial photography permit.
Permission to enter imaging equipment and machines.
Granting a radio and television broadcast license.

Media material trading permissions include:

Regulating the entry of media outlets through state outlets.
Leave to trade newspapers and magazines.
To print and authorize the circulation of publications and texts.
License to trade works of art.

Accreditation of foreign correspondents.

What is the strategy of the UAE Media Council?

The strategy of the UAE Media Council is based around four core pillars, centred around the promotion and preservation of the UAE national identity as well as creating a culture that inspires the world.

The four pillars are:

Preserving cultural national identity: enhancing the pride of UAE citizens by preserving cultural heritage components and interacting with the community
Enabling the UAE cultural sector: Discovering and creating a pool of national talents, developing a cultural infrastructure to create a world-class cultural landscape
Enhancing the cultural and creative industry to develop a knowledge- based economy; through coordinating with active bodies/ encouraging research in the cultural and creative industry
Strengthening the UAE’s position on the global cultural map by promoting cultural initiatives both regionally and internationally.

Which cultural industries fall under the Ministry’s mandate?

The Ministry focuses on six cultural industries which include Intangible Cultural Heritage, Tangible Cultural Heritage, Literature, Performing Arts, Design and Visual Arts.

Which creative industries fall under the Ministry’s mandate?

The Ministry focuses on eight creative industries which include Digital Creativity, Audio-visual Media, Intangible Cultural Heritage, Tangible Cultural Heritage, Literature, Performing Arts, Design and Visual Arts.

What are the prizes launched and sponsored by the Ministry?

Recognizing talent is key to the Ministry’s mandate for knowledge development and enabling the UAE’s cultural sector with an environment where emerging talent can thrive.

In line with this, the UAE Media Council have launched several awards in visual arts, performing arts and literature.

The Ministry has also set up the Al Burda Award; launched in 2004, it is an international initiative focused on supporting and fostering creativity, as well as raising awareness about Islamic art and culture both locally and globally. This award recognizes talent in the categories of poetry and Arabic calligraphy with a mix of traditional and modern elements of Islamic art.

How does the Ministry encourage national talent?

The Ministry has launched several projects and programmes that aim to successfully attract and nurture young Emirati talent. Such programmes include Al Burda initiative, an international platform for Islamic art and culture; and the UAE Cultural Week, an important platform that exemplifies a long-standing friendship between the UAE and France where creative energies of young talents are showcased.

Supporting national talent and encouraging the transfer and development of knowledge through international opportunities and platforms is a focus for the Ministry’s mandate to nurture the growing infrastructure of talent. To engage and inspire younger generations with a connection to their cultural identity is pivotal to strengthening the UAE’s position as a hub for nurturing talents globally.

Which local cultural departments and authorities that regulate and operate in the cultural sector fall under the mandate of the UAE Media Council?

The Ministry works with all seven Emirates to enhance the cultural heritage and offerings across the nation. The departments the Ministry works with are:

Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi
Dubai Culture and Arts Authority
Department of Culture – Sharjah
Sharjah Book Fair Authority
Sharjah Art Foundations
Sharjah Museum Authority
Department of Tourism Development – Ajman
Department of Tourism and Antiquities - Umm Al Quwain
Department of Antiquities and Museums - Ras Al Khaimah
Fujairah Authority for Culture and Information
Ajman culture center

I would like to receive news from The Ministry. How can I be added to the mailing list?

Please send us an email to mckdmediacenter@gmail.com and we will make sure you are added to our mailing list.

Where can I find information about archaeological sites?

Please visit the National Registry of Archaeological sites to find out more.

How can I participate in events related to the Ministry?

Please contact us on this number 800552255 and we will assist you on how to participate in our events.