History, Mission, and Vision of Sharjah Media Council

The Sharjah Media Council responsibilities go far beyond paperwork—it has real work on its shoulders. The Council, established by an Emiri order in 2017, has authority and independence, allowing it to act with clarity and purpose. What makes it stand out is not only the policies it writes but the cultural heartbeat it protects. When you look at Sharjah’s media landscape today—its television, radio, public communication, and even its thriving media free zone—you can trace the pulse back to this council’s steady guidance.

Origins and Leadership

The Sharjah Media Council didn’t appear by accident—it was born out of a clear vision. On 13 February 2017, His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, signed Emiri Decree No. (6) of 2017, and with that signature, the emirate gained a council with its own legal identity and full independence—financial, administrative, and technical. In other words, it wasn’t a committee that had to wait for permission at every step; it was built to move, decide, and lead.

The decree gave the Council the right to set up branches, affiliates, and offices wherever Sharjah needed them. Its mission was ambitious yet grounded: shape the emirate’s media policy, raise its profile locally and abroad, connect its institutions, and supervise its free zones. To fund this work, the Council could draw from government backing, its own revenues, and investments. Even more, it was freed from local taxes and fees—so nothing would weigh it down. A second decree, No. (7) of 2017, named Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi as chairman, placing leadership in the hands of someone deeply rooted in Sharjah’s growth story.

The setup is simple but smart: members serve four-year terms that can be renewed. Around the table sit some of Sharjah’s strongest media voices: the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, the Government Media Bureau, Shams Media City, plus the Secretary-General and other senior figures. Each brings a different piece of the puzzle—broadcasting, public messaging, or entrepreneurial spirit—and together they hammer out policies that actually reflect the emirate’s needs.

What the Council Does

The Sharjah Media Council isn’t just a name stamped on a decree—it has real work on its shoulders. Day to day, it’s about setting direction, keeping the system running, and making sure Sharjah’s media scene feels both modern and true to its roots.

Its core responsibilities include:

• Media Policy and Regulation – drawing up the plans for how TV, radio, newspapers, and digital platforms operate, while ensuring compliance with federal law. The goal isn’t to clip anyone’s wings, but to guide creativity so it reflects Sharjah’s culture and identity.
• Licensing and Permits – approving permits for filming, photography, and events. What looks like paperwork is actually what keeps productions smooth, safe, and respectful of the emirate’s values.
• Oversight of Media Institutions – keeping the SBA, SGMB, and Shams under one umbrella so that traditional broadcasters, government voices, and entrepreneurs aren’t pulling in different directions, but speaking with one strong, united voice.

The Council in Action

Among the many Sharjah Media Council activities, approving permits and tracking Shams’ growth are constant priorities. But the Council is more than a regulator; it’s the umbrella that holds together three very different players in the emirate’s media scene:

• The Sharjah Broadcasting Authority (SBA) – television and radio channels carrying daily news and cultural programs.
• The Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB) – the government’s official messenger and the organizer behind international forums.
• Sharjah Media City (Shams) – the youngest but boldest member, giving startups and freelancers an affordable place to build their media projects.

The Council doesn’t just sit in meetings—it actively reviews media permits, tracks the growth of Shams, and checks in on how its institutions are performing. Beyond administration, it champions Sharjah’s identity as a cultural capital, helping book fairs, art festivals, and cultural events carry the emirate’s name far beyond its borders. Sharjah's cultural identity spreads even further thanks to these Sharjah Media Council projects, which reach people far beyond the emirate. At the national level, it also works in step with the UAE Media Council, ensuring that Sharjah fits smoothly into the country’s broader media strategy.

Want to learn more about UAE business setup services?

Book a consultation

Challenges and Outlook

The Council treads carefully when considering the future. The obligation to preserve Sharjah’s cultural traditions stands in contrast to the rapid pace of technological change—social media, streaming services, and artificial intelligence. Its priorities now include:

• pushing for sustainable media practices,
• encouraging ethical standards, and
• building global partnerships that give Sharjah a louder voice abroad.

If it gets this balance right, the Council won’t just be Sharjah’s media regulator; it will remain one of the key forces shaping how the UAE speaks to the world in the years ahead.

Conclusion

When the Sharjah Media Council was created back in 2017, it wasn’t just another line in the Official Gazette—it was the moment Sharjah decided to take its media story into its own hands. Since then, the Council has become the quiet force behind so much of what people see and hear from the emirate: the voices on radio, the images on TV, the government’s messages to the public, and even the space where young media entrepreneurs find their footing.

Looking forward, the Council’s role is only going to get bigger. The challenges of digital change are real, but so are the opportunities. And as part of the wider story of the UAE, the Sharjah Media Council role in UAE media will be about more than regulation—it will be about giving the emirate a strong, confident voice in a fast-changing world.