New UAE media law: Fines of up to Dh1 million for insulting religious beliefs

 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