Media in the UAE

Newspapers

Source: UAE Government Portal: Types of media¹

The Emirates News Agency, WAM, is the official news agency of the UAE government and publishes news in several languages.²

Television and radio

TV channels include Dubai TV, Dubai One, Sama Dubai, Sharjah TV, Ajman TV, Sky News Arabia, National Geographic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Sports and Majid TV for children. Radio stations include Emarat FM, Abu Dhabi FM, Abu Dhabi Classic FM, Star FM, Radio 1, Sharjah Radio and Quran Kareem FM. The government portal says radio reaches 95% of the population every week.¹

The media law

Federal Decree-Law No. 55 of 2023 on Media Regulation covers broadcasting, cinema and creative production, newspapers and publications, digital and electronic media, imaging and book fairs, including activities in media free zones. Individuals and companies can own media outlets under its conditions, and licences are issued by the UAE Media Council or the competent local authority.^3,5

• Respect for Islam and all other religions and beliefs.
• Respect for the country's sovereignty, symbols and institutions, and its foreign relations.
• Respect for privacy and private life.
• No rumours, false or misleading news, or content that incites violence, hatred or crime.

Source: UAE Government Portal: Media regulation³

Breaking the law can lead to administrative fines, closure of the media outlet or cancellation of the licence or permit.³

Advertising on social media

Under Decision No. 3 of 2025 of the UAE Media Council, citizens, residents and visitors must hold an Advertiser Permit before publishing advertising content on social media from within the UAE, with or without payment. A resident's permit lasts one year and is renewable. A visitor's permit lasts three months, can be extended once to six months, and requires registration with a licensed advertising or talent agency. The council decides within three working days of a complete application.⁴

• No permit is needed to promote your own products, or those of a company you own, on your personal account.
• Adverts for real estate, healthcare, finance, education and food need prior approval.
• The permit number must be shown on every social media account used for adverts.

Source: UAE Media Council: Advertiser Guide⁴

Brands that pay influencers in the UAE should check that each one holds a valid Advertiser Permit.

Media free zones

Media companies can set up in free zones dedicated to media and creative work, such as Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City and Dubai Production City in Dubai, twofour54 in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah Publishing City and Creative City in Fujairah. Each zone's profile is in the Invest-Emirates.ae directory.