Resolution
No. (5) of 2024
Approving
the
Emirate of Dubai News Publication Policy[1]
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We,
Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai,
Chairman of the Dubai Media Council,
After perusal of:
Federal Law by Decree No. (34) of 2021 Concerning Combating
Rumours and Cybercrimes;
Federal Law by Decree No. (46) of 2021 Concerning Electronic
Transactions and Trust Services;
Federal Law by Decree No. (55) of 2023 Regulating Media;
Cabinet Resolution No. (22) of 2017 Concerning Licences for
Media Activities;
Cabinet Resolution No. (23) of 2017 Concerning Media
Content;
Chairman of the National Media Council Resolution No. (20)
of 2010 Concerning Media Content Standards;
Law No. (5) of 2022 Establishing the Dubai Media Council;
Law No. (11) of 2023 Concerning the Government of Dubai
Media Office;
Law No. (26) of 2023 Concerning the Executive Council of the
Emirate of Dubai; and
Executive Council Resolution No. (10) of 2009 Approving the
Government Communications General Guide for the Departments, Authorities, and
Public Corporations Affiliated to the Government of Dubai,
Do
hereby issue this Resolution.
Pursuant
to this Resolution, the attached “Emirate of Dubai News Publication Policy”,
which includes the procedures and coordination guidelines for disseminating
news of the Emirate of Dubai through various Media Outlets and on Social Media
Platforms, is approved.
This
Resolution comes into force on the day on which it is issued, and will be
published in the Official Gazette.
Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai
Chairman of the Dubai Media Council
Issued in
Dubai on 19 October 2024
Corresponding to 16 Rabi al-Thani 1446 A.H.
Emirate
of Dubai News Publication Policy
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The
following words and expressions, wherever mentioned in this Policy, will have
the meaning indicated opposite each of them unless the context implies
otherwise:
|
UAE: |
The United Arab Emirates. |
|
Emirate: |
The Emirate of Dubai. |
|
Ruler: |
His Highness the Ruler of Dubai. |
|
Government: |
The Government of Dubai. |
|
Executive Council: |
The Executive Council of the
Emirate of Dubai. |
|
DMC: |
The Dubai Media Council. |
|
General Secretariat: |
The General Secretariat of the
DMC. |
|
DGMO: |
The Government of Dubai Media Office. |
|
Government Entity: |
Any of the Government departments;
public agencies and corporations; Government councils and authorities,
including the authorities supervising Special Development Zones and free
zones, such as the Dubai International Financial Centre; or other
corporations and companies wholly or partly owned by the Government or a
Government Entity in the Emirate. |
|
Media Establishments: |
The Media publishing establishments
licensed to conduct Media Activities in the Emirate. |
|
Emirate-related News: |
All news and Media Content of a
strategic nature that are related to the Emirate, including, but not limited
to, news and materials concerning legislation, policies, strategies,
Government-approved initiatives and major events; as well as matters related
to social, political, economic, tourist, cultural, and artistic issues; and
any Information or Data that may impact the reputation of the Emirate or the
names, titles, and images of Their Highnesses, the Rulers of the Emirates,
their Crown Princes and Deputies, other Members of the Ruling Families,
senior officials, and public figures. |
|
Media Outlets: |
Any print, audio, or visual
medium, or any Electronic system, website, or digital communication platform,
including, but not limited to, printed publications, and audio, visual,
Electronic, and digital Media; Electronic games; television and radio
productions; press; traditional and Electronic printing and publishing; and
other available Media Outlets and publishing platforms, as well as any modern
or future technologies integrated into the Media sector. |
|
Social Media Platforms: |
Any Electronic Communication
network, whether via the internet or other communication networks, that
allows users to create personal accounts, add and publish content, and share
it with the public within the network in various formats such as text chats,
images, and videos; participate in discussions and interactive activities
with other users of the same network; and enable individuals to transition
from mere users into content producers. |
|
Permit: |
The official document issued by the DGMO authorising
a Government Entity to publish Emirate-related News through Media Outlets and
on Social Media Platforms. |
|
Platform: |
The Dubai News Platform
established pursuant to this Policy. |
This
Policy applies to all Government Entities that request the publication of
Emirate-related News through Media Outlets and on Social Media Platforms.
This
Policy aims to:
1. ensure
good governance over the Circulation of Emirate-related News that may directly
or indirectly impact the Emirate’s reputation or standing;
2. ensure
that the public is kept accurately and clearly informed of the Emirate-related
News, including legislation, strategies, initiatives, and events, in alignment
with the Emirate’s general directions and in support of the Emirate’s strategic
objectives and development plans;
3. regulate
Media practices related to the Circulation of Emirate-related News and future
strategies by establishing controls and coordination frameworks that support
effective cooperation among Government Entities; and
4. provide
Government Entities with the opportunity to publish their news of strategic
nature to the public, and ensure that such news is aligned with the strategies
of the UAE and the Emirate.
For
the purposes of this Policy, the DGMO will have the duties to:
1.
receive requests and inquiries
related to the Emirate-related News submitted through the Platform by Media
Establishments; and respond thereto in coordination with the concerned
Government Entities, as appropriate, and in accordance with the procedures and
controls set out in this Policy;
2.
issue the Permits required for the
publication of Emirate-related News in accordance with the provisions of this
Policy;
3.
consider and review the requests
submitted by Government Entities for the publication of the Emirate-related
News, and determine the significance of publishing such news;
4.
provide opinion and advice on the
drafting of the Emirate-related News, set the tone to suit the target audience,
and ensure that the intended objectives of its publication are achieved;
5.
draft, in coordination with the concerned
Government Entities, news and press releases related to Media coverage in cases
of emergencies, crises, or disasters;
6.
approve and publish Emirate-related
News through Media Outlets and on Social Media Platforms;
7.
prepare a manual for Government
Entities, outlining the process of using the Platform, submitting
Emirate-related News publication requests, and the conditions, controls, and
rules governing Emirate-related News publication;
8.
coordinate the Emirate-related News
and set publication priorities based on its significance and optimal timing for
dissemination through Media Outlets and on Social Media Platforms; and
9.
exercise any other duties or powers
assigned to it by the Ruler or the Chairman of the DMC.
a.
The General Secretariat will
coordinate with the General Secretariat of the Executive Council in respect of Emirate-related
News to be authorised for publication.
b.
The DGMO will coordinate with
Government Entities in respect of the Emirate-related News that these entities
wish to publish through Media Outlets or on Social Media Platforms.
c.
The DGMO will coordinate with the concerned
Government Entities, as appropriate, to respond to Media inquiries in the event
of the circulation or publication of any news prohibited from publication under
the provisions of this Policy, or in cases that require an official statement
or Media response in this regard.
d.
The DGMO will coordinate with the
General Secretariat in respect of the Emirate-related News that require
obtaining a prior Permit in accordance with paragraph (a) of this Article. The
General Secretariat must, in turn, coordinate with the General Secretariat of
the Executive Council regarding such news, prior to authorising its publication
through Media Outlets or on Social Media Platforms.
No
Data, Information, or other materials pertaining to Emirate-related News may be
published without first obtaining a Permit from the DGMO, which will, where
required, coordinate with the concerned Government Entities.
a.
The Emirate-related News may be
published through any of the following channels, as determined by the DGMO and agreed upon with the concerned
Government Entities, as the case may be:
b.
The General Secretariat may add any
other channels for the publication of Emirate-related News as it deems
appropriate or based on the request of any Government Entity.
The
DGMO will, in coordination with the Concerned Entities, review the
Emirate-related News intended for publication, particularly the following:
1.
the names and titles of Their
Highnesses the Rulers of the Emirates, their Crown Princes and Deputies, senior
officials, and public figures;
2.
the names of federal and local
government entities, and of affiliated entities and corporations;
3.
the figures and statistical data
related to the Emirate’s plans and strategies;
4.
the rumours and information
circulated on Media Outlets and Social Media Platforms;
5.
the opinions that are inconsistent
with the legislation, policies, or general directions of the UAE or the
Emirate; and
6.
the Confidential Information and
Data that are not authorised for publication or Circulation in the Media.
The
General Secretariat will establish an Electronic Platform, named the Dubai News
Platform, to receive requests from Government Entities for the publication of
Emirate-related News through Media Outlets or on Social Media Platforms. The DGMO
will be responsible for managing and overseeing this Platform.
a.
A Government Entity must submit a
request to publish Emirate-related News on the Platform at least seventy-two
(72) hours prior to its publication through Media Outlets or on Social Media
Platforms.
b.
When submitting a request to publish
Emirate-related News on the Platform, the Government Entity must satisfy all
requirements and submit all supporting documents, evidence, and sources that
substantiate the accuracy of the Emirate-related News.
c.
The Government Entity will be
responsible for preparing the news to be published in both Arabic and English,
except in cases where the English version is not required.
The
DGMO will coordinate with the concerned Government Entities to:
1.
ensure the accuracy of the
informational content of Emirate-related News to be published, and obtain prior
approval for its publication from the Competent Authority where required;
2.
correct or clarify published
Emirate-related News, whether or not the DGMO has issued a Permit in respect thereof;
3.
identify and classify
Emirate-related News authorised for publication and set procedures for each
category; and
4.
develop processes and procedures for
coordinating the publication of Emirate-related News.
The
General Secretariat will review this Policy annually and propose any necessary
amendments thereto in coordination with the concerned Government Entities, as
required.
©2025 The Supreme Legislation Committee in the
Emirate of Dubai
[1]Every effort has been made to produce an
accurate and complete English version of this legislation. However, for the
purpose of its interpretation and application, reference must be made to the
original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text will prevail.