Law No. (6)
of 2022
Concerning
the Dubai
Media Incorporated[1]
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We,
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai,
After
perusal of:
Law
No. (3) of 2003 Establishing the Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai;
Law
No. (8) of 2003 Establishing the Dubai Media Incorporated;
Law
No. (1) of 2016 Concerning the Financial Regulations of the Government of
Dubai; and
Law
No. (5) of 2022 Establishing the Dubai Media Council;
Resolution
No. (40) of 2021 Forming the Dubai Media Incorporated Steering Committee,
Do hereby issue this Law.
This Law will be cited as “Law No. (6) of 2022
Concerning the Dubai Media Incorporated”.
The
following words and expressions, wherever mentioned in this Law, will have the
meaning indicated opposite each of them unless the context implies otherwise:
|
UAE: |
The United Arab Emirates. |
|
Emirate: |
The Emirate of Dubai. |
|
Government: |
The Government of Dubai. |
|
Executive Council: |
The Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai. |
|
DMC: |
The Dubai Media Council. |
|
DMI: |
The Dubai Media Incorporated. |
|
CEO: |
The chief executive officer of the DMI. |
|
Mass Media: |
All the human, technical, and electronic resources used by
the DMI for achieving its media objectives, namely the transmission, dissemination, printing, and
distribution of visual, audio, written,
digital, and electronic information. This includes, but is not limited to,
terrestrial and satellite television and radio broadcasting and webcasting;
television and radio production; paper and electronic press, printing, and
publishing; and other media. |
|
Media Activities: |
Any of the activities related to the production,
transmission, broadcasting, distribution, or dissemination of written, digital, audio, or visual information. This includes the activities related
to journalism, publication, audio-visual broadcasting, or film industry; and
any other related activities. |
The
provisions of this Law apply to the Dubai Media Incorporated established
pursuant to the above-mentioned Law No. (8) of 2003, as a public corporation
conducting its business on a commercial basis and having legal personality and
the legal capacity required to undertake all acts and dispositions that ensure
the achievement of its objectives. The DMI is hereby affiliated to the DMC.
The
head office of the DMI will be located in the Emirate. Other branches or
offices of the DMI may be established within and outside of the Emirate
pursuant to a resolution of the DMC.
The
DMI will have the following objectives:
1.
to
contribute to promoting the Emirate as a leading and advanced media hub that
uses the latest technologies and digital equipment to provide high quality media content;
2.
to provide
competitive and diversified media services that enhance the position of the
Emirate and the UAE in the field of media, and contribute to shaping the
future, in line with the relevant strategic plans approved by the DMC;
3.
to embody
the spirit of the Emirate and enhance its image before the world through
developing a sense of national responsibility, promoting and preserving the UAE
cultural heritage, and promoting the Emirate as a global economic and tourism
hub; and
4.
to raise
and promote cultural and media awareness by engaging media professionals and
specialists from amongst national human resources and utilising Mass Media and
other media
resources.
For
the purpose of achieving its objectives, the DMI will have the duties and
powers to:
1. devise the
policies and strategic plans required for developing the DMI and Media
Activities, including all areas, techniques, concepts, and uses of the television, radio, and
journalism work and other media work and Media
Activities; present these policies and strategic plans to
the DMC for approval; and develop the procedures required for implementation of the same upon their approval;
2. support the
implementation of the policies, programmes, and initiatives for the development
of various sectors within the DMI, in line with the comprehensive strategic
development plans of the Emirate;
3. develop, in coordination with the DMC and the competent
entities in the Emirate, the infrastructure that supports the DMI;
4. hold, in coordination with the DMC, media exhibitions and
events; and organise conferences, missions, visits, and training programmes and
workshops at the local, national,
and international levels;
5. conduct all media business
and Media Activities, particularly in the areas of radio,
television, and journalism, using all available technological and digital
means. These include media production, publishing, printing, marketing,
advertising, and distribution;
6. conduct commercial activities and invest in various fields
of media, in coordination, cooperation, and partnership with the competent
government entities and the private sector, and in accordance with the
legislation in force in the Emirate;
7. own, possess, lease out, or take lease of movable and
immovable property, materials, devices, equipment, and systems in order to achieve its objectives; and dispose of the same in any legal manner;
8. establish corporations and companies solely or in
partnership with other persons; or invest or hold shares in companies and
corporations that are engaged in the same or similar
activities as those of the DMI within and outside of the Emirate, or that contribute to the
achievement of the DMI objectives, in
accordance with the legislation in force in the Emirate; and
9. exercise any other duties or powers required for the
achievement of the objectives of the DMI, as assigned to it by the DMC.
a.
A chairman
will be appointed to the DMI pursuant to a decree of the Ruler.
b.
The
chairman will undertake general supervision of the DMI; ensure that the DMI
achieves its objectives and performs its functions under this Law, the
resolutions issued in pursuance hereof, and other legislation in force in the
Emirate; and perform all the duties assigned to him by the Ruler or the
Chairman of the Executive Council.
The
executive body of the DMI will be comprised of the CEO and a number of
administrative, finance, and technical employees. These employees will be
subject to the relevant human resources regulations approved by the Chairman of
the DMC.
a.
The CEO
will be appointed pursuant to a resolution of the Chairman of
the DMC.
b.
The CEO
will be directly responsible to the DMC for exercising the duties and powers
assigned to him under this Law, the resolutions issued in pursuance hereof, and
other legislation in force in the Emirate.
c.
The CEO
will supervise the work and activities of the DMI in a manner that ensures the
achievement of its objectives. In particular, the CEO will have the duties and
powers to:
1.
develop the
general policy and the strategic, development, operational, and investment
plans of the DMI; and submit the same to the DMC for approval;
2.
propose the
policies and strategic plans required for developing the DMI business as well as
all areas, techniques, concepts, and uses of the television, radio, and journalism work and other Media Activities; and submit the same to the DMC
for approval;
3.
propose the
projects, initiatives, activities, and programmes that contribute to achieving the objectives of the DMI and enabling
it to exercise its functions; and submit the same to the DMC for approval;
4.
develop and
follow up the implementation of the investment
plans aimed at enabling the DMI to achieve full financial autonomy and to
self-finance its programmes and projects, with
a view
to enabling it to achieve financial
sustainability;
5.
prepare the
draft annual budget and Financial Statements of the DMI;
and submit the same to the DMC for discussion,
in preparation for their approval by the Chairman of the DMC;
6.
draft the
bylaws, regulations, and resolutions regulating the administrative, financial,
and technical work of the DMI, including the human resources regulations of the
DMI; and submit the same to the DMC for approval;
7.
approve
financial transactions, subject to the rules stipulated in the financial
regulations and bylaws applicable to the DMI and in accordance with the legislation in force in the Emirate;
8.
prepare the
organisational structure of the DMI, and submit the same to the DMC for
approval;
9.
propose the
fees and charges for the services provided by the DMI; and submit the same to
the DMC for approval, in preparation for their final approval by the competent
entities in the Emirate in accordance with the applicable legislation;
10. appoint, and determine the remuneration of, external
auditors; and review the reports and notes submitted by these auditors at the
end of each Financial Year;
11. supervise the work of the executive body of the DMI and
ensure that it exercises the duties and powers of the DMI under this Law, the
resolutions issued in pursuance hereof, and other legislation in force in the
Emirate; and appoint competent and specialised employees;
12. open and manage accounts with banks within and outside of
the Emirate; obtain the necessary loans and credit facilities; and provide
appropriate guarantees and mortgage security, including the mortgage of the assets and other property of the DMI, in coordination with
the DMC and the competent entities in the Emirate and in accordance with the
applicable legislation;
13. form permanent and temporary sub-committees and work teams,
from amongst the employees of the DMI or other persons, to assist him in
performing his duties; and determine the duties and powers of these sub-committees and work teams;
14. submit periodic reports on the performance of the DMI to the
DMC to issue the relevant directives as it deems appropriate;
15. enhance corporate relations with media corporations,
strategic partners, and other relevant entities with a view to achieving the
objectives of the DMI and enabling it to exercise its functions;
16. represent the DMI before third parties; and conclude the contracts,
agreements, and memoranda of understanding to which the DMI is party; and
17. exercise any other duties or powers required for enabling
the DMI to achieve its objectives, as assigned or delegated to him by the DMC.
d.
With the
exception of the powers vested in the DMC under sub-paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2),
and (c)(3) of this Article, the DMC may delegate any of its powers under
paragraph (c) of this Article to the CEO, provided that such delegation is
specific and in writing.
e.
The CEO may
delegate any of his duties and powers under paragraph (c) of this Article to
any of the DMI executive directors, provided that such delegation is specific
and in writing.
Government
Entities in the Emirate must fully cooperate with the DMI and provide it, upon
request, with the required support to enable it to achieve its objectives and
perform its functions under this Law, the resolutions issued in pursuance
hereof, and other legislation in force in the Emirate.
Neither
the Government nor the DMC will be liable to third parties for any debts or
obligations arising from the business and activities of the DMI or of any of
the entities or companies affiliated to or owned by it; or arising from the
exercise by the DMI of its duties and powers under this Law and the resolutions
issued in pursuance hereof. The DMI will be solely liable for such debts and
obligations.
The
DMI may, in accordance with the legislation in force in the Emirate and subject
to the approval of the DMC, outsource any of its
functions under this Law to any public or private entity pursuant to an
agreement concluded with that entity in this respect. This agreement will
determine the rights and obligations of the DMI and the contracted entity as
well as the conditions, requirements, and specifications that the entity must
observe when performing the functions outsourced to it by the DMI.
The financial resources of the DMI will
consist of:
1.
the movable
and immovable property allocated to the DMI by the Government;
2.
the support
allocated to the DMI in the General Budget of the Emirate;
3.
the fees, service charges, and return on investment received by the DMI in return for conducting its activities, providing its services,
and investing its property;
and
4.
the
grants,
gifts, donations, aid, sponsorships, and any other resources approved by the
DMC.
a.
In managing
its accounts and records, the DMI will apply the rules and principles of
commercial accounting in accordance with the relevant internationally
recognised standards.
b.
The
Financial Year of the DMI will commence on 1 January and will end on 31 December
of each year.
Without
prejudice to the powers vested in the DMC under this Law, the CEO will issue
the resolutions required for the implementation of the provisions of this Law.
a.
This Law
supersedes the above-mentioned Law No. (8) of 2003.
b.
The
above-mentioned Resolution No. (40) of 2021 is hereby repealed. Any provision
in any other legislation is also hereby repealed to the extent that it
contradicts the provisions of this Law.
c.
The bylaws,
resolutions, and instructions issued in implementation of the above-mentioned
Law No. (8) of 2003 and other legislation in force in the Emirate
will continue in force, to the extent that they do not contradict this Law,
until new superseding bylaws, resolutions, instructions, and legislation are
issued.
This
Law will be published in the Official Gazette and will come into force on the
day on which it is published.
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Ruler of
Dubai
Issued in Dubai on 14 March 2022
Corresponding
to 11 Shaban 1443 A.H.
©2022 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.