Decree No. (66) of 2024

We, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai,

After perusal of:

• Federal Law by Decree No. (57) of 2022 Establishing the UAE Media Council;
• Federal Law by Decree No. (55) of 2023 Regulating Media;
• Cabinet Resolution No. (68) of 2024 Concerning the Implementing Bylaw of Federal Law by Decree No. (55) of 2023 Regulating Media;
• Law No. (15) of 2014 Concerning the Dubai Development Authority (the “DDA") and its amendments;
• Law No. (5) of 2021 Concerning the Dubai International Financial Centre;
• Law No. (5) of 2022 Establishing the Dubai Media Council (the “DMC") and its amendments;
• Decree No. (22) of 2009 Concerning Special Development Zones in the Emirate of Dubai; and
• The legislation establishing and regulating free zones in the Emirate of Dubai,

Do hereby issue this Decree.

Designation of the Competent Authority

Article (1)

The Competent Authorities in the Emirate of Dubai responsible for exercising all the duties and powers assigned under the above-mentioned Federal Law by Decree No. (55) of 2023 and Cabinet Resolution No. (68) of 2024, and the resolutions issued in pursuance thereof, are hereby designated as follows:

1. the DMC, for all Media Activities conducted across the Emirate, including in Special Development Zones and free zones, such as the Dubai International Financial Centre; and
2. the DDA, for all Media Activities conducted within the zones falling within its jurisdiction, as determined by the legislation in force in the Emirate of Dubai or under the applicable DDA legislation.

Functions of the DDA

Article (2)

a. The provisions of this Decree apply without prejudice to the functions and powers of the DDA in respect of licensing and issuing permits to companies, corporations, agencies, and other legal persons to conduct Media Activities, including Media Production activities, in the zones that fall within its jurisdiction pursuant to the legislation in force in the Emirate of Dubai or the applicable DDA legislation. b. The licences and permits issued by the DDA to the companies, corporations, and agencies referred to in paragraph (a) of this Article will be valid exclusively within the zones that fall within the DDA's jurisdiction pursuant to the legislation in force. These entities will not be required to obtain any additional licences or permits from the DMC to conduct Media Activities within these zones.

Providing Data and Information

Article (3)

For the purpose of enabling the DMC to exercise its duties and powers under the above-mentioned Law No. (5) of 2022, in its capacity as:

1. the Competent Authority in the Emirate in charge of implementing the above-mentioned Federal Law by Decree No. (55) of 2023 and Cabinet Resolution No. (68) of 2024, and other legislation in force in the Emirate; and
2. the competent Government Entity authorised to represent the Emirate before the UAE Media Council in all matters related to the Media sector,

the DDA must provide the DMC with all the data and information requested by the DMC and retained by the DDA concerning the Media Activities conducted within the zones under its jurisdiction.

Issuing Implementing Resolutions

Article (4)

The Chairman of the DMC and the Chairman of the DDA or their authorised representatives will issue the resolutions required for implementing the provisions of the above-mentioned Federal Law by Decree No. (55) of 2023, Cabinet Resolution No. (68) of 2024, and this Decree. This includes:

1. determining the officials in charge of exercising any of the powers vested in the Competent Authorities; and
2. delegating any of the powers of the Competent Authorities to any public or private entity, pursuant to an agreement concluded with that entity for this purpose. This agreement will determine the rights and obligations of both parties, as well as the conditions, requirements, and specifications that the entity must observe when performing the functions delegated to it.

Commencement and Publication

Article (5)

This Decree comes into force on the day on which it is issued, and will be published in the Official Gazette.

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Ruler of Dubai

Issued in Dubai on 10 December 2024 Corresponding to 9 Jumada al-Thaniyah 1446 A.H.

Footnotes:

¹ Every effort has been made to produce an accurate and complete English version of this legislation. However, for the purpose of its interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text will prevail.