Legislation Details
- Full Title: Cabinet Resolution Regarding Fees of Media Services in Free Zones
- Law Type: Cabinet Resolution
- Law Number: No. (38) of 2016
- Issued Date: 03 Oct 2016
- Effective Date: 29 Nov 2016
- Official Gazette: No. 606
- Sector: Finance and Banking
- Status: Active
- Number of Articles: 14
- Chapters/Parts: 0
- Amendments: 0
Summary
This Cabinet Resolution regulates the fees charged for various media services in the UAE's free zones. It establishes a 10% fee on the value of fees collected for licenses and permits related to radio, television, newspapers, and magazines operating in the free zones. The Resolution also sets specific fees for foreign correspondents, including for press cards, filming permits, and sponsorship. The fees are to be collected by the Ministry of Finance in coordination with the National Media Council, which is also empowered to issue implementation procedures. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding Fees of Media Services in Free Zones, 2016, Art. 1-7)
What is the scope and purpose of this law?
The scope of this Cabinet Resolution is limited to the media services provided in the UAE's free zones. It applies to the issuance and renewal of licenses for radio, television, newspapers, and magazines operating within the free zones. The purpose is to establish a standardized fee structure for these media activities, with a 10% levy on the fees collected by the free zone authorities. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding Fees of Media Services in Free Zones, 2016, Art. 1)
What are the key definitions under this law?
The Resolution does not provide any specific definitions. It refers to general terms like "media services", "radio and television broadcasting activities", "daily newspaper", "magazine", and "foreign correspondent" without defining them further. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding Fees of Media Services in Free Zones, 2016)
What are the main obligations and requirements?
The main obligations under this Resolution are:
- Payment of 10% fee: Media service providers in the free zones must pay a 10% fee on the value of fees they collect for licenses and permits. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding Fees of Media Services in Free Zones, 2016, Art. 1)
- Payment of specified fees for foreign correspondents: Foreign correspondents must pay the prescribed fees for press cards, filming permits, and sponsorship. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding Fees of Media Services in Free Zones, 2016, Art. 2)
- Coordination between Ministry of Finance and National Media Council: The fees must be collected by the means determined by the Ministry of Finance, in coordination with the National Media Council. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding Fees of Media Services in Free Zones, 2016, Art. 3)
What licensing, registration, or approval requirements exist?
The Resolution does not specify any new licensing, registration, or approval requirements. It only refers to the "issuance and renewal of a license" for various media services, without detailing the underlying requirements. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding Fees of Media Services in Free Zones, 2016, Art. 1)
What rights and protections does this law provide?
The Resolution does not grant any specific rights or protections to media service providers or foreign correspondents. It is solely focused on establishing a fee structure for the relevant media services. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding Fees of Media Services in Free Zones, 2016)
Which authorities or bodies are responsible for enforcement?
The key authorities responsible for the implementation and enforcement of this Resolution are:
- Ministry of Finance: Responsible for determining the means of collecting the prescribed fees, in coordination with the National Media Council. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding Fees of Media Services in Free Zones, 2016, Art. 3)
- National Media Council: Empowered to issue any procedures necessary for the implementation of the Resolution, in coordination with the Ministry of Finance. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding Fees of Media Services in Free Zones, 2016, Art. 5)
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
The Resolution does not specify any penalties for non-compliance with its provisions. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding Fees of Media Services in Free Zones, 2016)
What fees, charges, or financial provisions are specified?
The key financial provisions in this Resolution are:
- 10% fee on media service fees: A 10% fee is imposed on the value of fees collected for licenses and permits related to radio, television, newspapers, and magazines in the free zones. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding Fees of Media Services in Free Zones, 2016, Art. 1)
- Fees for foreign correspondents: Specific fees are set for the issuance of press cards, filming permits, and sponsorship for foreign correspondents, ranging from AED 300 to AED 3,000. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding Fees of Media Services in Free Zones, 2016, Art. 2)
What exemptions or exceptions apply?
The Resolution does not provide any exemptions or exceptions to the application of the prescribed fees. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding Fees of Media Services in Free Zones, 2016)
How are disputes resolved under this law?
The Resolution does not specify any dispute resolution mechanisms or procedures. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding Fees of Media Services in Free Zones, 2016)
What are the key deadlines and time limits?
The only time-related provision in the Resolution is the validity period of six months for the temporary press card or filming permit for foreign correspondents. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding Fees of Media Services in Free Zones, 2016, Art. 2)
How does this law interact with other UAE legislation?
The Resolution references several related UAE laws and regulations, including:
- Federal Law No. (1) of 1972 Regarding the Competences of Ministries and the Powers of Ministers
- Federal Law No. (15) of 1980 Regarding Publications and Publishing
- Federal Law No. (1) of 2011 Regarding the General Revenues of the State
- Federal Law No. (11) of 2016 Regulating the Competences of the National Media Council
- Federal Law No. (13) of 2011 Regarding the Licensing of Radio and Television Broadcasting Activities
- Cabinet Resolution No. (12) of 2013 Regarding Fees Prescribed for Media Services
- Cabinet Resolution No. (281/10 F/23 M) of 2013 Amending Cabinet Resolution No. (12) of 2013 Regarding Fees Prescribed for Media Services
- Cabinet Resolution No. (23) of 2015 Regarding the Organizational Structure of the National Media Council
- (Cabinet Resolution Regarding Fees of Media Services in Free Zones, 2016)
- This Cabinet Resolution came into effect 30 days after its publication in the Official Gazette, which was on 30 October 2016. Therefore, the effective date of this Resolution is 29 November 2016.
- (Cabinet Resolution Regarding Fees of Media Services in Free Zones, 2016, Art. 7)
- This article analyses Cabinet Resolution Regarding Fees of Media Services in Free Zones for legal research and educational purposes. For the purpose of interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text prevails. This does not constitute legal advice.