National Media Council now ‘responsible’ for all media outlets in UAE

ABU DHABI // The FNC has agreed to a law that gives the National Media Council responsibility for the media outlets in the country.

On Tuesday, the FNC held a long debate on the exact wording of Article 2, which aimed to define the role of the NMC.

Originally the article stated that the NMC supervised media in the country, but members felt the wording should also state that it was responsible for the media as well.

Eventually, members agreed to amend Article 2 to read: “The NMC is the federal authority that supervises and is responsible for the media in the country.”

The debate started while discussing Article 4, which listed what the NMC aimed to achieve.

These aims included drawing up a media policy for the country, preparing media legislation and ensuring it was applied to promote the concept of national unity.

Member Marwan bin Ghlaitha voiced his concern over limiting these tasks to mere “aims”. FNC Speaker Dr Amal Al Qubaissi agreed as “being responsible for drawing the media strategies of the country is not like aiming to”.

Dr Sultan Al Jaber, head of the NMC, said he did not have any problem with the members’ suggestions. “Our goal is that NMC continues as a supervisor and coordinator for the sector.”