H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has issued Emiri Decree No. 72 of 2017 on the functions of the Sharjah Government Media Bureau, SGMB.

The Decree stipulates that the SGMB, in order to achieve its objectives, has to prepare and organise all media events of the Sharjah Ruler, the Crown Prince, the Deputy Rulers, and the Sharjah Executive Council, SEC, or its representative.

The SGMB shall also provide other media with news related to them and supervise the issuance of publications and information material related to the emirate's activities in various political, economic, social, cultural, and other fields.

The Decree also stipulates that the functions of the SGMB shall include: surveying, collecting, classifying and documenting media information and data, as well as monitoring and documenting everything published related to the emirate. Other functions include setting up training programmes in the media field, supervising their implementation and developing partnerships and coordination with competent institutions in the emirate and abroad, in order to exchange information and experience and develop areas of joint work, besides holding seminars and specialised conferences and participating in conferences, both at home and abroad.

The functions also include making contracts to obtain technical expertise, conducting studies required for the development of its work and the establishment of companies that support the office in achieving its objectives, along with any other tasks assigned by the Ruler of Sharjah, the SEC, or the Sharjah Media Council, SMC.

According to the Decree, the SGMB is the primary media reference for all Sharjah’s agencies for the dissemination of news in case of crises and emergencies.

The Decree shall be effective from the date of its issuance, and other competent authorities should implement its provisions. Any provision contrary to the provisions of this Decree shall be repealed.

The Decree shall be published in the Official Gazette.