Influencer Among Detainees as UAE Enforces Strict Media Laws
Three French nationals have been arrested in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, for filming and disseminating war-related footage, according to reports from France Info. Among them is Marseille-based influencer Maeva Ghennam, known for her television appearances. “I admit I’m not entirely sure what I’m allowed to say or not say,” Ghennam stated in an interview. “We are not allowed to show what is happening, at least we cannot show what falls from the sky.”
Government Response and Legal Framework
The French government confirmed it is providing consular assistance. “They benefit from consular protection. The Quai d’Orsay is in contact with them, their lawyers, and we are monitoring the situation very closely,” stated government spokesperson Maud Bregeon on BFMTV-RMC.
UAE authorities are enforcing a 2021 law, recently reiterated, that prohibits spreading “rumors, false information, or content contrary to official announcements, or that aims to cause panic or harm public security and order.” Violations can result in fines up to €47,000.
Security Concerns and Regional Censorship
Last week, the Emirati Attorney General warned against “filming, broadcasting, or sharing images and videos from incident sites or damage resulting from ballistic fire or falling debris in certain areas.” Such videos, initially popular in the conflict’s early days, have become scarce. Nearly sixty individuals have been arrested in the UAE related to these actions, France Info reports.
Two primary concerns underlie the crackdown. First, sharing such footage could potentially allow Iran to locate UAE air defense systems, compromising security. Second, Gulf states have built part of their prosperity on a perception of safety in a region often marked by conflict. Images of missiles or drone debris crashing in urban areas severely undermine this narrative.
According to Courrier International, similar information censorship measures have been implemented in Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait.
