Online Media Firms Now Require NMC License UAE

Recently, the UAE government has taken several steps to assist various big and small businesses for growth of their economic activities. These steps will play important role in the overall progress of business activities of the country. But no business activity can survive for longer without the implementation of necessary rules and regulations and UAE is also making a check on all types of business activities present in the rich Gulf state. In one such recent move, UAE has made it compulsory for all online media firms, working in the country, to acquire NMC (National Media Council) license for smooth and continuous working of their activities in the country.

According to the guidelines issued by NMC, the license is mandatory for news websites, social media-based commercial activities and electronic publishing outlets. The council has granted three months’ time to companies operating without the license to get the new mandatory license for them. The companies fail to abide by the rules will either be fined or even shut down in severe cases. The minimum fine will be AED 5,000. These rules will be applied throughout UAE in mainland along with companies operating in various free zones.

But not all types of online companies will be required to obtain the NMC license. The websites of Magazines, newspapers, radio, television, government departments, schools and universities are exempted from these new rules.

According to NMC’s DG Mansour Ibrahim Al Mansouri, the purpose of these new regulations is to develop legislation for the fastest growing media sector in UAE and also to ensure the religious, social and cultural values of the country. The recent development is helpful in the creation of responsible media sector that will respect the individual’s privacy and to prohibit the spread of harmful online material in the society.

These new code of practice on media companies have immediately taken effect. Now, all the online media companies are required to acquire the said NMC license to continue their activities in UAE. So, it is the right time for all UAE-based online media companies to seriously start thinking about acquiring NMC license without delay in order to avoid hefty fines and other punishments in future.

An easy and cost efficient way to do so is by contacting Riz & Mona Consultancy via our WhatsApp # 971-56-9971225 or email address info@rizmona.com. We have years of experience and number of satisfied clients for assisting them in getting all types of trade licenses in minimum time span. We provide services for all the emirates of UAE in both mainland and free zones.