UAE creates unified authority to govern media / Image: File
The United Arab Emirates has issued a new Federal Decree-Law to establish the National Media Authority, a major step in reshaping how media is governed in the country. This move replaces three existing bodies, the UAE Media Council, National Media Office, and Emirates News Agency (WAM), with a single, unified media authority under the Cabinet. The government’s objective is clear: create a central media regulator that enhances how national media is coordinated, governed, and positioned both locally and internationally. This reform reflects ongoing efforts to adapt the UAE’s media ecosystem to global trends, strengthen standards, and ensure consistent national messaging.
National Media Authority for UAE media
The new National Media Authority will have legal, administrative, and financial independence and will oversee a broad range of media functions once held by separate entities. Key roles include:
- Uniting Media Policies: It will propose national media directions, unify messaging, and coordinate with media entities across the UAE.
- Regulation and Content Standards: The Authority will set content standards and monitor all published, broadcast, and digital media, including materials in free zones.
- Legislation and Licensing: It will draft and propose laws for licensing media outlets, activities, and foreign correspondents.
- Professional Accreditation: Media professionals and foreign correspondents will be registered and accredited through this body.
- WAM Development: The Authority will strengthen the Emirates News Agency (WAM), ensuring it remains the primary channel for official news, translation, and distribution.
By bringing these functions under one roof, the UAE aims to ensure more cohesive media governance and consistent national representation.
Strengthening UAE media reputation
An important part of the National Media Authority’s mandate is to enhance the UAE’s reputation regionally and globally. This includes monitoring media narratives, coordinating swiftly during media crises, and presenting unified national perspectives. The Authority will act as a central hub during challenging media situations, ensuring that coordinated responses protect the nation’s interests and uphold professional journalism standards. This aligns with broader UAE initiatives, such as the Bridge Summit 2025, which positions the country as a media and content innovation hub, signaling a wider strategy to grow the creative sector.
Transforming WAM
The Emirates News Agency (WAM) is getting a major upgrade under this new structure. The NMA is tasked with developing WAM into a sophisticated official channel that does more than just report the news. The plan includes:
- Establishing a vast global network of correspondents and international media offices.
- Producing and translating content in multiple languages to reach a worldwide audience.
- Training and qualifying a new generation of Emirati media talent.
By archiving local and international news and providing high-quality reports and images to other institutions, the NMA is positioning WAM as the definitive, ethical source for all things UAE. Go to Source