Established by Emiri Decree No. 6 of 2017, the Sharjah Media Council (SMC) is responsible for formulating the overall media strategy of the Emirate of Sharjah. Its mandate is to enhance Sharjah’s media standing locally, regionally, and internationally, coordinate between all media establishments in line with the emirate’s policy, issue and regulate media activity licences outside free zones, and strengthen the competitiveness of Sharjah’s media sector. SMC also aims to develop national media talent and reinforce professional, ethical media values.

SMC is the licensing authority for media activities conducted in Sharjah outside of designated free zones. For businesses looking to operate within a free zone, Sharjah Media City (Shams) offers specialised licences covering advertising, content creation, media production, publishing, and photography. Packages are available for freelancers, startups, SMEs, and corporates. You can begin by consulting Shams to identify the appropriate licence type for your activities. Approval from relevant authorities (including the National Media Council for certain activities) may also be required depending on the scope of your work.

SMC supports media development through its three affiliated bodies. The Sharjah Broadcasting Authority (SBA) develops and operates broadcast content across television and radio. The Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB) promotes and communicates Sharjah’s progress and cultural identity on the global stage, and provides a networking platform connecting media professionals with senior government decision-makers. Sharjah Media City (Shams) offers a creative free zone with modern infrastructure, flexible licensing, and a supportive ecosystem for entrepreneurs, content creators, and media businesses. Together, these entities provide training, production resources, and an environment conducive to media innovation.

SMC serves as the umbrella body for three main entities: the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority (SBA), which operates Sharjah TV, Sharjah Sports Channel, Al Sharqiya (Kalba), Al Wousta (Al Dhaid), Sharjah 2, Sharjah Radio, Quran Radio of Sharjah, Pulse 95 (English radio), and the Sharjah Media Training Centre; the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), the official government communications channel; and Sharjah Media City – Shams, a free zone authority for media and creative industries. SMC also supervises all media activity licences issued within the emirate outside of free zones.

SMC actively pursues strategic partnerships with government bodies, private organisations, and international institutions to advance Sharjah’s media and cultural sectors. Partnerships are formalised through Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) that outline shared objectives. For example, SMC has signed an MoU with the Sharjah Ports, Customs and Free Zones Authority to streamline logistics for media and cultural events. Organisations interested in partnering can reach out directly via sharjahmediacouncil@smc.shj.ae or through the official SMC website at smc.ae.