Since the National Media Council in UAE made it mandatory to obtain a license to operate from there , more than 500 social media influencers have registered with the National Media Council (NMC). The government has made the license compulsory to levy service charge for advertising brands on their accounts. An official from NMC announced that it has also registered 700 online media sites and agencies since June after the new rules required news websites and electronic publishing outlets to register and get operational licenses.
Social media influencers and all unlicensed online media agencies or enterprises have been told to register to avoid being fined.

Influencers and online media sites are required to obtain an e-media license, with a starting price of Dh15,000 and a trade license, which varies in cost depending on free zone or mainland category, according to the National Media Council (NMC).

The NMC said that online news websites, influencers and other electronic publishers should utilize to register and get e-media licenses to operate smoothly and avoid problems.

The NMC had in March issued new rules that require all news websites, electronic publishing outlets, and on-demand printing, including commercial activities conducted through social media within the UAE to first get a media license from the NMC, allowing them to operate in the country.

The new regulations apply to all electronic media activities carried out within the UAE, including those in free zones. There has been an increase in the number of social media influencers in the country over the recent years, with many using advantage of their big followers to promote brands for different firms for cash.

Dr Rashid Al Nuaimi, executive director of media affairs at the NMC, said: "The electronic media has become a highly influential and widespread tool and it was imperative for government to enhance its reliability."

"The new regulations were intended to help the UAE media sector remain on top of the rapid developments in electronic media. It also aims at enriching and organizing digital content, and ensuring that media material respects the religious, cultural and social values of the UAE, all the while promoting freedom of expression and constructive dialogue."

According to Al Nuaimi, the new rules apply to only social media influencers who use their blogs, pages or accounts for advertising and promoting brands for money.

Officials have warned that individuals or establishments caught violating the media law will be slapped with fines of up to Dh5,000 or have their online websites or social media accounts shut down.

Authorities earlier said that digital media was one of the fastest-growing sectors in the Middle East, especially videos, games and e-books and that regulating this sector would attract new global investments, which, in turn, will improve its development and competitiveness.