03/06/2025
Public Notice – New Media Regulation Law in the UAE
The Embassy of Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates would like to bring to notice of all members of the Pakistani community an important new legal development announced by UAE authorities.
Effective from 29 May 2025, UAE Cabinet Decision No. 42 of 2025, issued under Federal Decree-Law No. 55 of 2023 on Media Regulation, sets out a comprehensive list of media-related violations and penalties. These apply to all individuals, media outlets, and digital platforms operating in the UAE.
The law identifies 20 categories of violations, grouped by severity. Notable penalties include:
Insulting religious beliefs or the Divine Entity – AED 100,000 to 1,000,000
Disrespecting UAE leadership, national symbols, or institutions – AED 50,000 to 500,000
Publishing content harmful to foreign relations – AED 30,000 to 250,000
Encouraging sectarianism, violence, or terrorism – AED 100,000 to 500,000
Spreading immoral, false, or misleading information – AED 10,000 to 100,000
Violating privacy or children’s rights – AED 5,000 to 100,000
Ignoring age ratings or misrepresenting national identity – AED 5,000 to 100,000
The Embassy would like to urge all Pakistani nationals in UAE to use social media and other online platforms responsibly, and to strictly observe UAE laws and cultural sensitivities.
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