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Abu Dhabi: A new media draft law scrapping jail terms for journalists and instead imposing up to Dh100,000 fine for breaking the law was passed by the ministerial legislative committee.
The committee chaired by Dr Hadef Al Daheri, Minister of Justice, gave the green light to the Federal draft law on media activities which regulates licensing of newspapers and printing presses, a statement from the committee said.
The draft law requires the Cabinet's approval and the President's signature before it is enacted into law.
It holds a journalist and the newspaper liable for any mistake committed by the journalist. The present law issued in 1980, however, holds the journalist and the editor in chief responsible for any offence committed by a journalist.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, issued last year instructions that no journalist is to be jailed for reasons related to his work, adding that there are other measures that may be taken against journalists who break the press and publication law.
Shaikh Mohammad has also issued instructions to the Cabinet to speed up the necessary steps to issue the new publication law in the light of the amendments made by the National Media Council after consulting concerned authorities.
Freedom of press
Shaikh Mohammad's initiative was praised widely as an expression of his deep belief in freedom of the press and its role in society, and underlining his support for media professionals and his keenness to provide the best working environment to help them discharge their duties in the best way.
Shaikh Mohammad's instructions followed a Dubai court ruling giving two journalists jail terms for libelling an Iranian woman.
The committee also approved a federal draft anti-tobacco law. It includes a ban on smoking in public places, tightening tobacco imports and restricting advertising and sponsorship.
The provisions also include prohibiting the cultivation of tobacco and establishing factories of tobacco products.
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