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Home Blog UAE Media Regulation 2025: From Ministry to Multi-layer System

Ministry of Information and Culture UAE

Dec 4, 2025
13 min
142
Gulnora
Dec 4, 2025 10:07
Министерство информации и культуры ОАЭ

Ministry of Information and Culture UAE: what it was and who regulates media today (2025 guide)

People still Google 'Ministry of Information and Culture UAE' when they want to understand censorship, media licensing or cultural approvals in the Emirates. The catch: in today’s federal structure this ministry no longer exists as a standalone regulator. Its old powers have moved through the National Media Council to the Ministry of Culture, the Media Regulatory Office and now the UAE Media Council under updated media laws. This 2025 guide explains what that historical ministry did, who actually regulates media and culture today, and how founders, creators and agencies can navigate approvals without getting lost in outdated terminology.

  • The Ministry of Information and Culture was the original federal ministry created in the 1970s to oversee information and culture; it no longer operates under that name.
  • From 2006, the National Media Council (NMC) became the main federal media regulator; in 2020–2021 its role was consolidated into the Ministry of Culture and Youth and the Media Regulatory Office.
  • In 2022–2023, the UAE Media Council was formally established and federal media regulation was updated, including a modern media decree-law, executive regulations and penalties framework.
  • As of 2025, media and cultural oversight is shared between the Ministry of Culture, the UAE Media Council, the Media Regulatory Office, local culture/tourism departments and free zone authorities.
  • Old contracts, policies and academic texts still mention the 'Ministry of Information and Culture', but for live projects you should reference the bodies that exist and actually have powers today.
  • If your project touches news, public affairs, film, streaming, games, events or advertising in or from the UAE, you likely fall under the updated media framework, not the legacy ministry name.
  • Mirad can help you map which regulator applies to your specific business model, pull together a document pack and coordinate next steps with vetted UAE legal and compliance advisors.
BodyApprox. periodCore role in media/culture
Ministry of Information and Culture1970s – mid-2000sOriginal federal ministry responsible for information policy, cultural affairs, and supervision of press, broadcasting and imported content.
Ministry of Culture / Ministry of Culture and Information1980s – 2000sOversaw cultural policy and acted as national media regulator under the classic Press and Publications law before later reforms.
National Media Council (NMC)2006 – 2020/2021Independent federal body created to regulate media, licensing and content standards across the UAE, including free zones.
Ministry of Culture and Youthfrom 2020New federal ministry formed by merging culture, NMC and youth portfolios; sets cultural policy and hosts the Media Regulatory Office.
Media Regulatory Office (MRO)from 2021Office under the Ministry of Culture that took over many of NMC’s operational media functions: licensing, content standards and age ratings.
UAE Media Councilfrom 2022/2023Federal council with legal personality and wide powers under the new media decree-law to regulate media activities and coordinate with local authorities.
Local culture & tourism departments and free zone authoritiesongoingImplement cultural policy and license events locally (e.g. Dubai Culture, DCT Abu Dhabi) and regulate free zone media and creative activities.

Why people still search for the 'Ministry of Information and Culture UAE'

For years, the Ministry of Information and Culture was the name that appeared in government yearbooks, the press law, early film classification rules and acknowledgements in official publications. Many older contracts, publishing agreements and academic papers still reference it as the competent authority for media and cultural matters.

If you are reviewing legacy agreements, investment documents or franchise packs, you will regularly see clauses that mention this ministry or its historic role. When such contracts are extended, novated or re-drafted, it is important to update the references to match the regulators that exist today and the modern media law framework, not just copy-paste a name from the 1990s.

Mirad can help you run a structured review of your templates: identify where outdated UAE bodies are mentioned, suggest neutral wording that points to 'the competent media authority' under current law and, where needed, coordinate with UAE counsel so that your documents stay enforceable and realistic for 2025.

How UAE media regulation evolved from a single ministry to a multi-layer system

In the early decades of the federation, it made sense to place responsibility for information, press, publishing and culture in one federal ministry. As the media market grew more complex and free zones emerged, the UAE gradually shifted to a specialised regulator model with clearer separation between high-level cultural policy and day-to-day media oversight.

In 2006, the National Media Council (NMC) was established as a dedicated federal media regulator. Around 2020, the UAE restructured its government: the NMC and Federal Youth Authority were merged into the Ministry of Culture and Youth, and in 2021 the Media Regulatory Office was launched to handle many of the NMC’s regulatory tasks under that ministry. Subsequent laws and decree-laws created the UAE Media Council as an independent body affiliated with the Cabinet and issued a new media regulation framework with updated executive regulations, fees and administrative penalties.

For businesses and creators the practical takeaway is simple: the historical 'Ministry of Information and Culture' is part of the origin story, but actual decisions about licensing, media activities and fines now flow through the UAE Media Council, the Ministry of Culture, the Media Regulatory Office and local competent authorities.

Who regulates media and culture in the UAE in 2025

  • Ministry of Culture: sets federal cultural policy, supports the creative economy and works with other bodies on the high-level regulatory framework for media and cultural activities.
  • UAE Media Council: federal body with legal personality that coordinates media policy, drafts regulations and standards, licenses media activities and oversees media content at the national level.
  • Media Regulatory Office (MRO): an operational arm under the Ministry of Culture that manages many practical aspects of media regulation, including content classification, implementation of standards and coordination with free zones.
  • Local competent authorities in each emirate: culture and tourism departments or media offices that license events, festivals and some local media activities, and apply federal standards on the ground.
  • Media and creative free zones: free zone authorities (for example, media and production clusters) that license companies and activities in their jurisdiction, in alignment with federal media law.
  • Government Media Office and other communication entities: handle government messaging and campaigns, which may influence how media priorities are communicated and implemented.

When your project actually needs approvals, licences or notifications

  • Launching a TV channel, radio station, satellite platform or on-the-ground broadcasting operation targeting audiences in the UAE.
  • Operating a news website, current-affairs portal or media outlet that regularly publishes political, economic or social commentary about the UAE.
  • Running a media agency, influencer agency or content studio that sells advertising and commercial content targeting UAE residents or UAE-based brands.
  • Organising large-scale cultural events such as film festivals, concerts, exhibitions, book fairs or international cultural festivals hosted in the UAE.
  • Importing and distributing films, print publications, video games or streaming content that are marketed or made available within the UAE.
  • Setting up a media or creative business in a media free zone (for example, for production, post-production, publishing, podcasting, design or gaming).
  • Monetising social media influence in the UAE through brand deals, paid campaigns or long-term ambassador roles with local and regional companies.

Practical checklist for founders, media projects and creators

Typical documents regulators may ask for

  • Trade licence and constitutional documents for your company (including any media-specific licence in a free zone or onshore).
  • Detailed business description: content categories, languages, distribution channels, monetisation model and target audiences.
  • Internal content policies and moderation guidelines: how you ensure compliance with UAE rules on religion, public morals, security and hate speech.
  • Sample content or pilots: episodes, screenshots, mock-ups or test runs that demonstrate the tone and scope of your output.
  • Contracts and templates with advertisers, sponsors, partners and creators (including influencer agreements and branded content policies).
  • Data on ownership and ultimate beneficial owners (UBOs), especially for foreign-owned or cross-border media groups.
  • Contact persons responsible for editorial, compliance and legal matters, with power to respond quickly to regulator enquiries.

Risks of relying on an outdated ministry name or ignoring the new framework

  • Inconsistent contracts and policies that refer to non-existent bodies, which can create ambiguity or be challenged in disputes.
  • Regulatory friction: regulators may require you to update documentation before processing licences or approvals.
  • Potential fines and administrative penalties for operating media activities without proper licences or in breach of content standards.
  • Temporary or permanent blocking of websites, apps or accounts in the UAE for serious or repeated violations.
  • Reputational damage with partners, advertisers and audiences if your project appears non-compliant with local expectations.
  • Additional scrutiny from banks and payment providers who are increasingly sensitive to media, platform and content risk.

How Mirad can support your UAE media and culture strategy

Mirad is built as a knowledge and strategy layer for founders, investors and operators working with the UAE. It does not replace licensed local counsel, but it helps you get to better questions and cleaner documentation before you sit down with a lawyer or regulator.

  • Structuring your project narrative in a way that makes sense to UAE regulators, banks and partners.
  • Mapping which federal, local and free-zone bodies are likely to be relevant for your specific media, culture or events model.
  • Highlighting gaps between your current licences, actual activities and what the new media framework expects.
  • Preparing draft internal policies, checklists and FAQ documents that your legal team can refine and localise.
  • Connecting you to specialist UAE legal and corporate service providers for formal opinions, filings and representation.

For many projects a short structured consultation saves months of trial-and-error with generic templates or ad-hoc advice. If you are planning to use the UAE as your regional base, it is usually worth building a media and culture compliance map early, not after the first regulator enquiry.

FAQs about the Ministry of Information and Culture and today’s regulators

  • Does the Ministry of Information and Culture still exist in the UAE? — No. It was the historical predecessor of today’s cultural and media institutions. Its former powers now sit with the Ministry of Culture, the UAE Media Council, the Media Regulatory Office and other bodies.
  • Who is the main media regulator today? — At the federal level, the UAE Media Council and the Media Regulatory Office are central, working with the Ministry of Culture and local competent authorities.
  • I found the ministry name in an old contract. Is the contract invalid? — Not automatically. But if you are renewing or amending the contract, it is good practice to update the references and ensure the obligations match the current law and regulators.
  • Do small creators and podcasters need a licence? — Non-commercial hobby projects may not need full licensing, but they still must comply with UAE content standards. Once you monetise, work with brands or scale distribution, licensing questions become more relevant.
  • What about influencers who earn from UAE brands? — Commercial influencers often fall under specific licensing and registration regimes; requirements can differ by emirate and free zone, so it is worth checking before you roll out a large campaign.
  • Can Mirad give me legal advice on UAE media law? — Mirad does not claim to be a law firm. It helps you understand the landscape, prepare internal documentation and then route concrete legal questions to qualified UAE counsel who can advise on your exact facts.

Disclaimer: This article is for information only and does not constitute legal, regulatory or investment advice. UAE media and culture rules evolve, and the allocation of powers between bodies may change over time. For specific projects, especially those involving news, political content or large-scale events, you should verify the latest requirements with official sources and obtain tailored advice from qualified UAE professionals.

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