Skip to main content
In effectFederal Decree by Law

General UAE Legal Questions LawFederal Decree by Law No. (7) of 2020 Regarding the Establishment of the United Arab Emirates Government Media Office

UAE Federal Decree-Law·Federal Decree by Law No. (7) of 2020

مرسوم بقانون اتحادي في شأن إنشاء المكتب الإعلامي لحكومة دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة

Authoritative Arabic version per the official UAE Legislation portal

Issued Date
September 2, 2020
Effective from
September 2, 2020
Articles
14
Last synced
Jul 20, 2026

Plain-language summary

  • Creates the UAE Government Media Office as a federal agency for all government communications.
  • Manages official media affairs and public messaging across all federal government departments.
  • Established by Federal Decree-Law No. 7 of 2020.
  • Coordinates government announcements and media relations at the national level.

Establishes the United Arab Emirates Government Media Office as a federal entity responsible for managing government communications and media affairs across the…

Synced from the official UAE Legislation portal · Plain-language summary by the LEXAI editorial team

Article-level text

Key Articles

14 articles

  1. 1

    Article 1

    Article (1) Definitions For the purposes of implementing the provisions hereof, the following terms and expressions shall have the meanings assigned to each of them, unless the context requires otherwise: State : The United Arab Emirates Ministry : The Ministry of Cabinet Affairs Minister : The Minister of Cabinet Affairs Office : The UAE Media Office. Chairman : The Chairman of the Office.

    -- 1 of 6 --

    Federal Decree by Law of 2020 Regarding the Establishment of the United Arab Emirates Government Media Office 2

  2. 2

    Article 2

    Article (2) Establishment of the Office An office to be named “UAE Media Office” shall be established pursuant to the provisions of this Decree by Law, and shall have the legal capacity to conduct the acts and transactions necessary for the exercise of its competences.

  3. 3

    Article 3

    Article (3) Head Office The head office of the Office shall be located in the State. The Minister may, by virtue of a decision, open and establish branches or other offices thereof within and outside the State.

  4. 4

    Article 4

    Article (4) Competences of the Office The Office shall undertake the following competences: 1. Develop the media plan of the Federal Government, in cooperation with the government communication offices of the ministries and federal entities, and oversee the implementation thereof after its approval by the Cabinet; 2. Manage and oversee the visual identity of the Federal Government, and develop projects and proposals to support the marketing identity approved by the Cabinet; 3. Provide media support to the Cabinet and develop media materials supporting the decisions, policies, strategies, and projects of the Cabinet; 4. Manage media campaigns for the strategic national projects of the ministries and federal entities and major government projects approved by the Cabinet, and prepare the strategic media messages of the Federal Government; 5. Develop government communication with the ministries and federal authorities in the State, and build capabilities and skills in the fields of media communication; 6. Manage the social media channels of the Federal Government and follow up on the

    -- 2 of 6 --

    Federal Decree by Law of 2020 Regarding the Establishment of the United Arab Emirates Government Media Office 3 development of the communication channels of the ministries and federal authorities; 7. Contribute to proposing and implementing initiatives and projects to support and enhance the reputation of the State and its positive relations with other peoples, and work to support and disseminate Emirati values, culture, and identity; 8. Monitor the media performance of the ministries and federal entities, and submit reports to the concerned authorities to improve the media performance of the ministries and federal authorities; 9. Support the ministries and federal authorities in developing media performance, organizing media briefings, supporting the official spokespersons of the ministries and federal authorities, and enhancing their positive media presence with the target audience; 10. Conduct studies and projects in the fields related to the competencies of the Office and submit reports thereon; 11. Establish and organize a database of information and data related to the competences of the Office, in coordination with the concerned authorities; 12. Represent the Federal Government in media matters at official events and conferences, and develop its plan and messaging regarding the key governmental issues addressed by domestic and international media; 13. Any other competencies related to the mandate of the Office as may be assigned thereto by the Cabinet or the Minister of Cabinet Affairs.

  5. 5

    Article 5

    Article (5) Office Head and Their Competences The Office shall have a Head who shall supervise the work and activities of the Office. For this purpose, the Head shall undertake the following: 1. Propose the general policy of the Office and its strategic and operational plans; 2. Approve the Office initiatives, events, and projects and supervise the implementation thereof; 3. Propose the financial, administrative, contractual, and human resources regulations and

    -- 3 of 6 --

    Federal Decree by Law of 2020 Regarding the Establishment of the United Arab Emirates Government Media Office 4 policies of the Office and submit the same to the Minister for approval; 4. Develop the initiatives, programs, projects, studies, and recommendations related to the work and activities of the Office and submit the same to the Minister for approval; 5. Prepare the two drafts annual budget and final account of the Office and submit the same to the Minister for approval; 6. Prepare the Office organizational structure and submit it to the Minister for approval; 7. Issue the decisions necessary for the proper conduct of work in the Office; 8. Represent the Office before third parties, and governmental and non-governmental entities. 9. Any other competences or tasks assigned thereto by the Minister.

  6. 6

    Article 6

    Article (6) Administrative Apparatus The Office shall have an administrative apparatus, the members of which shall be appointed in accordance with the regulations and systems applicable in the Ministry.

  7. 7

    Article 7

    Article (7) Financial Resources The financial resources of the office shall consist of: 1. The annual financial appropriations allocated to the Office from the general budget of the Federation; 2. Gifts, grants and sponsorships provided to the Office and approved by the Minister; 3. Revenues collected by the Office for the exercise of its competences; and 4. Any other revenues approved by the Cabinet or the Minister.

  8. 8

    Article 8

    Article (8) Fiscal Year The fiscal year of the Office shall commence on the first of January and will end on the thirty-

    -- 4 of 6 --

    Federal Decree by Law of 2020 Regarding the Establishment of the United Arab Emirates Government Media Office 5 first of December of each year. The first fiscal year shall commence from the date of entry into force of this Decree by Law and end on the thirty-first of December of the following year.

  9. 9

    Article 9

    Article (9) Regulations and Systems of the Office 1. The Office shall be established within the Ministry, and its organizational structure shall be approved by a decision of the Minister; 2. The Office shall be subject to the legislation, regulations, policies, and systems applicable in the Ministry.

  10. 10

    Article 10

    Article (10) Final Provisions All federal and local authorities in the State shall cooperate with the Office and align their media strategies and policies with the State’s media policies and strategies.

  11. 11

    Article 11

    Article (11) The Office may support or sponsor media establishments. It may also own, purchase, or establish any media establishment, and provide financial support to companies owned by any of the local or federal government agencies and authorities, or private companies, in accordance with the systems and powers approved by the Minister.

  12. 12

    Article 12

    Article (12) Executive Resolutions The Minister shall issue the resolutions necessary for the implementation of the provisions of this Decree by Law.

    -- 5 of 6 --

    Federal Decree by Law of 2020 Regarding the Establishment of the United Arab Emirates Government Media Office 6

  13. 13

    Article 13

    Article (13) Repeals Any provision that contradicts or conflicts with the provisions of this Decree by Law is hereby repealed.

  14. 14

    Article 14

    Article (14) Publication and Entry into Force of the Decree by Law This Decree by Law shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall enter into force from the date of its publication. Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan President of The United Arab Emirates Issued by us at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi: On: 14 Muharram 1442 A.H. Corresponding to: 2 September 2020 A.D.

    -- 6 of 6 --

Note: The Arabic text of this legislation is the authoritative version as per the official UAE Legislation portal.

Articles in this law(14)
  1. 1Article (1) Definitions For the purposes of implementing the provisions hereof,
  2. 2Article (2) Establishment of the Office An office to be named “UAE Media Office”
  3. 3Article (3) Head Office The head office of the Office shall be located in the St
  4. 4Article (4) Competences of the Office The Office shall undertake the following c
  5. 5Article (5) Office Head and Their Competences The Office shall have a Head who s
  6. 6Article (6) Administrative Apparatus The Office shall have an administrative app
  7. 7Article (7) Financial Resources The financial resources of the office shall cons
  8. 8Article (8) Fiscal Year The fiscal year of the Office shall commence on the firs
  9. 9Article (9) Regulations and Systems of the Office 1. The Office shall be establi
  10. 10Article (10) Final Provisions All federal and local authorities in the State sha
  11. 11Article (11) The Office may support or sponsor media establishments. It may also
  12. 12Article (12) Executive Resolutions The Minister shall issue the resolutions nece
  13. 13Article (13) Repeals Any provision that contradicts or conflicts with the provis
  14. 14Article (14) Publication and Entry into Force of the Decree by Law This Decree b
Reading shortcut

Ask LEXAI a question about Federal Decree by Law No. (7) of 2020.

Plain-English answers, with a citation back to the exact article. Free to use, no sign-up.

LEXAI provides general legal information, not legal advice. For your specific case, speak to a licensed UAE lawyer.

Keep reading

General

Law Firm vs Solo Lawyer in the UAE: How to Choose

Confused between a UAE law firm (maktab muhamah) and a solo advocate? Learn how firms are licensed, when a large firm helps, when a specialist solo is the smarter choice, and how cost and access differ.

8 min read

General

How to Hire a Lawyer in Dubai: Find, Verify and Choose | LEXAI

A practical guide to hiring a lawyer in Dubai: where to look, how to verify a UAE practising licence, the advocate vs legal consultant difference, questions for your first meeting, and what to expect on fees.

8 min read

General

Online Legal Consultation in the UAE: What Works and What Doesn't

A practical guide to online legal consultation in the UAE: what works remotely, free AI legal information versus paid licensed advice, and how to confirm a lawyer is actually licensed before you share your case.

8 min read