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

The last update on this law was listed on 05 Oct 2022

Issued Date

02 Sep 2020

Effective Date

02 Sep 2020

Official Gazette Date

15 Sep 2020

Official Gazette No

686

Legislation State

Active

Legislation Amendments

1

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

Index
Article (1) Definitions
Article (2) Establishment of the Office
Article (3) Head Office
Article (4) Competences of the Office
Article (5) Office Head and Their Competences
Article (6) Administrative Apparatus
Article (7) Financial Resources
Article (8) Fiscal Year
Article (9) Regulations and Systems of the Office
Article (10) Final Provisions
Article (11)
Article (12) Executive Resolutions
Article (13) Repeals
Article (14) Publication and Entry into Force of the Decree by Law

Federal Decree by Law No. (7) of 2020 Regarding the Establishment of the United Arab Emirates Government Media Office

We, Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan President of the United Arab Emirates;
− Having reviewed the Constitution;
− Federal Law No (1) of 1972 Regarding the Competences of the Ministries and the Powers of the Ministers, as amended;
− Federal Law No. (8) of 2011 on the Reorganization of the Supreme Audit Institution;
− Federal Decree by Law No. (11) of 2008 Regarding Human Resources in the Federal Government, as amended;
− Federal Decree by Law No. (26) of 2019 Regarding Public Finance;
− Upon the proposal of the Minister of Cabinet Affairs, and the approval of the Cabinet,
Have promulgated the following Decree by Law:

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Article (8) Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the Office shall commence on the first of January and will end on the thirty-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.

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.

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.

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.

Article (12) Executive Resolutions

The Minister shall issue the resolutions necessary for the implementation of the provisions of this Decree by Law.

Article (13) Repeals

Any provision that contradicts or conflicts with the provisions of this Decree by Law is hereby repealed.

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.