E-Paper
Sign In
UAE takes legal action against resident for insulting Emirati women on social media
The National Media Authority said the material violated media content standards set under the country’s media law and its executive regulations
- PUBLISHED: Thu 20 Aug 2026, 5:34 PM UPDATED: Fri 21 Aug 2026, 4:46 PM
The UAE’s National Media Authority has taken legal action against a resident after content published through her account on a social media platform insulted Emirati women.
The authority also suspended her active advertising permit for three months.
Recommended For You
In a statement, the authority said the material contravened the standards governing media content under the country’s media law and its executive regulations.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
It stressed that it would not tolerate content that offends Emirati women or undermines their standing and contributions to the nation. It also urged social media users to act responsibly when publishing content and to uphold community values and the UAE’s national identity.
Separately, the Dubai Women Establishment denied online claims that the content was part of a project affiliated with the organisation.
In a statement, the establishment said it had no relationship or cooperation with the woman who published the offending content and was coordinating with the relevant authorities to take the necessary action against the claims and limit their circulation on social media.
Why the permit suspension matters
The Mu’lin Permit is a licence for individuals to provide advertising or media content through their social-media accounts, the internet and other modern technical means, whether for payment or without payment.
The authority’s published Media Content Standards require media content to respect the UAE’s cultural and civilisational heritage and national identity, avoid offending prevailing values in society, and ensure advertising content respects the country’s culture, identity and values.
Last August, the authority had taken legal action against two individuals after a live broadcast on social media promoted offensive content that breached standards relating to the UAE’s cultural and civilisational heritage, national identity and prevailing societal values.
The authority suspended the Mu’lin Permit issued to one of the individuals for three months.
UAE law on online insults
Separately, the UAE’s Federal Decree-Law on Countering Rumours and Cybercrimes covers the use of an information network, information-technology equipment or an information system to insult another person, or make an attribution that could expose that person to punishment or contempt by others.
The article provides for imprisonment and/or a fine ranging from Dh250,000 to Dh500,000.
Ruqayya Alqaydi is an associate editor with an endless curiosity to learn. Like a journalist on a caffeine overdrive, she is fuelled by passion and on a mission to uncover every gem in the UAE.