Arab News
khaleejtimes, Sat, Jun 14, 2025 | Dhu al-Hijjah 18, 1446
Up to Dh1 million fine: UAE media law goes into effect; list of penalties revealed
Emirates:
A new media law has
come into effect in the UAE as of May 29, introducing a strict regulatory
framework for all media activities in the country. The law carries hefty
penalties up to Dh1 million, for violations ranging from insulting religious
beliefs to operating without a licence.
The legislation
reinforces the UAE's commitment to promoting ethical, respectful, and
responsible media conduct. It outlines a series of offences, many of which come
with tiered fines depending on the severity or repetition of the violation.
Here is a list of
offences:
Religious and Moral
Offences
Insulting the Divine Essence, Islamic beliefs, or other heavenly religions and
beliefs: Up to Dh1,000,000 fine
Violating public morals, promoting destructive ideas: Up to Dh100,000 fine
Publishing or circulating content that incites crimes (e.g., murder, rape, drug
abuse): Up to Dh150,000 fine
State and National Interests
Disrespecting the ruling system, national symbols, or state institutions:
Dh50,000 to Dh500,000 fine
Disrespecting the
state’s domestic or international policies: Dh50,000 to Dh500,000 fine
Publishing content
that harms foreign relations or undermines national unity/social cohesion: Up to
Dh250,000 fine
The new law also
includes provisions that protect media personnel and influencers while
regulating their activities to ensure transparency and accountability in the
digital and traditional media space.
Licensing Violations
Operating media activities without a licence:
First offence: Dh10,000
Repeated offence: Dh40,000
Failure to renew a
licence within 30 days of expiration: Dh150 fine per day, capped at Dh3,000
Transferring a
licence, adding/replacing a partner, or changing details without approval: Up to
Dh20,000 fine
Continuing to publish with an expired licence:
First offence: Dh10,000
Repeated offence: Dh20,000 (doubles with
repetition)
False Information
and Misinformation
Disseminating false information:
First offence: Dh5,000
Repeated offence: Dh10,000
Event and
Publishing Violations
Organising
or obstructing a book fair without a permit:
Fine: Dh40,000 (doubles with repetition)
Printing, circulating, or publishing media content
without a license:
Fine: Dh20,000 (doubles with repetition)
Foreign
Correspondents
Working as a foreign correspondent without a
licence:
Up to 3 written warnings
Repeated offence: Dh10,000