FNC protests over rejection of bid to put Emiratis in charge of media companies

FNC members stress on the need to employ Emiratis to lead media outlets in the country following the Cabinet's disapproval.

ABU DHABI // Federal National Council members protested against the Cabinet’s rejection of a proposal to require that Emiratis become the sole leaders of media outlets in the UAE, including those in free zones.

During Tuesday’s session the council read out a letter from the Cabinet saying that after review, all proposals to revamp media in the country would be passed – except the Emiratisation proposal.

Approved proposals included establishing a media office in all UAE embassies abroad to work on spreading an accurate image of the country, establishing a training centre for Emiratis in media and increasing the National Media Council (NMC) budget.

But members insisted the Emiratisation proposal was important and should have been passed.

The FNC proposals were made during a debate with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Foreign Minister and head of the NMC.

After members made contradictory statements of what, exactly, they wanted from the media in terms of Government control and press freedom, they said Emiratisation quotas should be introduced.

While agreeing that more Emiratis were needed in the sector, Sheikh Abdullah warned members that quotas could lead to bogus Emiratisation and were not the answer.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet approved FNC requests to study the role of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education.