Mohammed sets fees for NMC services
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has issued resolution No. 12 of 2013 regarding fees for media services provided by the National Media Council (NMC).
The resolution sets a fee structure for 49 commercial-based media licences that the NMC provides in areas of import and distribution of publications like books, newspapers, magazines, press services' offices, news agencies' offices, import and distribution of audio-visual mediums like DVD/CD, video tapes and cassettes and others, cinemas, advertisements and promotion, as well as the design and production of advertisement and advertising boards.
The resolution grants the holder of the licence 30 days from the date of its expiry to renew the same, otherwise he will face a fine of Dh 50 per each day of delay.
The resolution also specifies 13 types of media activities that require a permit from the NMC and the fees that should be charged. Those activities include permits for releasing movies, movie scripts, distribution of daily and weekly newspapers and weekly and monthly magazines.
The Vice President's resolution also sets fees for the sale of 19 media products that the NMC provides to customers through the Emirates News Agency (Wam) including photos and TV footage.
Fees for services to foreign correspondents were also determined by the resolution, as in the issuing of press cards, either temporary for six months or permanent for one year.
According to the resolution, a fine will be imposed on any foreign correspondent found practicing the profession in the country without a prior permit from the NMC. The resolution also defines a series of administrative penalties on a number of violations regarding conduct media activities without a prior permit. Any person found selling pirated audio-visual materials, breaching NMC's printing, publishing and advertisement regulations will also be fined.
The resolution covers fees of media services and free media zones that require NMC approval including licences for TV and radio transmission, newspapers and magazines and foreign correspondents.
The resolution provides for a standard legal instrument for the media services fees offered by the NMC. The resolution annuls federal cabinet resolutions No. 14 of 1999 on commercial-based media licences and other relevant resolutions.
The resolution will take effect from July 30, 60 days after its publication in the official gazette. The NMC has posted the full details of the resolution on its website.