Terms and Conditions

Introduction

Welcome to the website and eservices platform of the Sharjah Media Council. This document outlines the Terms and Conditions governing the use of the website and all services provided through it, whether for browsing, registration and account creation, or submitting applications for media services and permits.

Please read these Terms and Conditions carefully before using the website or submitting any application. Accessing the website or applying for any service constitutes your explicit and unconditional acceptance of these Terms and Conditions, and an acknowledgment of your commitment to all provisions contained herein.

These terms apply to all users, whether they are regular visitors, registered users, or clients seeking to obtain media permits or services.

Legal Framework

All provided services and the provisions for using the website are subject to the laws of the United Arab Emirates and the legislation in force in the Emirate of Sharjah, including but not limited to:

• Relevant decisions of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Sharjah concerning media activity.
• Executive Council Resolution No. 13 of 2025 regarding the regulation of media services.
• Executive Council Resolution No. 18 of 2026 regarding fees for media services.
• Service regulations and media guides issued by the Sharjah Media Council.
• Legislation and regulations issued by the competent federal authorities.

The updated list of services is published on the official website of the Sharjah Media Council: `smc.ae`

Intellectual Property Rights

All intellectual property rights in the materials published on the Sharjah Media Council website—including images, videos, texts, data, software, logos, designs, charts, and reports—are the exclusive property of the Sharjah Media Council and are protected under applicable copyright laws.

• Use of the website content is permitted for personal and non-commercial purposes only, such as viewing, research, study, and submitting service applications.
• Copying, republishing, distributing, or using the content for commercial purposes without obtaining prior written permission from the Council is strictly prohibited.
• Modifying, excerpting, or distorting any published content in a manner that harms the Council’s reputation or misleads the public is strictly prohibited.

Accuracy of Information and Validity of Documents

The user or client undertakes that all data and documents submitted via the website or the eservices platform are true, complete, accurate, and free from any misleading details or material omissions.

• The Council reserves the right to reject, suspend, or cancel any application/permit if it is found to contain incorrect, misleading, or fraudulent data, without prejudice to the Council’s right to take necessary legal action.
• The applicant bears full legal and financial responsibility for any incorrect data or forged documents submitted.
• The Council reserves the right to request additional documents or verify the validity of the submitted data at any time.

Registration and Account Management

Certain website services are available only to registered users. Upon creating an account on the Sharjah Media Council eservices platform:

• The user is committed to providing true, accurate, current, and complete information during registration.
• The user is responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of their login credentials (username and password) and for all activities that occur under their account.
• Using a misleading, offensive, or impersonating username is prohibited.
• Attempting to access other users’ accounts or data without authorization is prohibited.
• In case of suspected account breach, the Council must be notified immediately to suspend and secure the account.
• The Council reserves the right to suspend or cancel any account proven to violate these terms without prior notice.

Compliance with Media Legislation

The client is fully committed to all laws, regulations, and instructions in force relating to media activities in the United Arab Emirates and the Emirate of Sharjah, including:

• Applicable conditions and procedures for media permits.
• Media content regulations and professional and ethical standards.
• Cultural and social considerations, and the values of the Emirati society.
• Any other regulatory requirements issued by the Sharjah Media Council or competent federal authorities.

Ignorance of these legislations is deemed an unacceptable excuse.

Penalties and Consequences of Violations

Any breach of these Terms and Conditions, misuse of granted permits, or violation of applicable laws and legislations shall result in administrative penalties that may include:

• Financial fines in accordance with the approved schedule of fees and penalties.
• Temporary suspension of the service or the granted permit.
• Permanent cancellation of the service or the granted permit.
• Suspension of the client’s account on the electronic platform.
• Taking necessary legal action before the competent judicial authorities.

These penalties shall be applied in accordance with the relevant legal and regulatory provisions and executed by the competent authorities as the situation requires.

Provision, Modification, and Cancellation of Services

Service applications are submitted via the Sharjah Media Council website according to approved procedures and are subject to review and approval by the Council.

• Requests to modify, cancel, or extend services must be submitted via the website in accordance with the procedures approved by the Council.
• The Council reserves the right to modify any service or suspend it fully or partially at any time without prior notice, in line with public interest considerations or regulatory requirements.
• Submitting an application does not guarantee receiving the service or its approval.
• The Council retains the right to prioritize the processing of applications according to its approved internal workflow mechanisms.

Integration with Other Government Entities

The provision of certain services may require coordination or integration with other local or federal government entities. The client acknowledges the following:

• This coordination may affect the processing time of the application or its final outcome.
• The specified timeframes for services may be linked to approvals or procedures issued by external entities.
• The Council bears no responsibility for delays resulting from the procedures of other government entities.

External Links

The website may include links to external websites for informational purposes. The user acknowledges that:

• The Sharjah Media Council bears no responsibility for the content of those websites or the accuracy of their information.
• Accessing any external website through links on this website subjects the user to the terms and conditions of that external website.
• The inclusion of a link does not imply endorsement or approval of the external website’s content.

Electronic Copies of Documents

Electronic copies of documents issued by the Sharjah Media Council and published via the website are available for personal use and educational purposes only.

• The original version officially signed and stamped by the Council is the approved reference in case of any discrepancy with the electronic copies.
• Modifying or tampering with any electronic document issued by the Council is prohibited.

Limitation of Liability

The Sharjah Media Council bears no responsibility for any direct or indirect losses, damages, or delays resulting from:

• The user’s or client’s failure to comply with these Terms and Conditions.
• The submission of incorrect data or documents.
• Technical failures or service interruptions due to reasons beyond the Council’s control.
• Legal and regulatory changes affecting the services provided.
• Decisions or procedures issued by other government entities.

Furthermore, the Council bears no responsibility for incidental, special, or indirect damages arising from the use of the website.

Governing Law and Jurisdiction

This document shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United Arab Emirates and the legislation of the Emirate of Sharjah. In the event of any dispute arising in connection with these Terms and Conditions or the services provided, the competent judiciary in the Emirate of Sharjah shall be the authorized entity to adjudicate the dispute.

Amendments to Terms and Conditions

The Sharjah Media Council reserves the right to amend these Terms and Conditions at any time without prior notice. Amendments shall become effective immediately upon their publication on the website. the user’s continued use of the website or submission of applications after the publication of amendments constitutes an explicit acceptance thereof.

Acknowledgment and Acceptance

The user’s access to the website or submission of any service application constitutes an explicit acknowledgment that they:

• Have read these Terms and Conditions and fully understood their content.
• Agree to be bound by all its provisions without restriction or condition.
• Commit to all relevant legal and regulatory obligations.
• Acknowledge that the Council will take necessary measures if any violation is proven.

For Contact and Inquiries:

Sharjah Media Council, Emirate of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

smc.ae