Dubai Warns of Action Against Media Outlets Publishing False or Unverified News

DUBAI — The Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO) has confirmed that action will be taken against media outlets that publish false news or unverified information about Dubai, in accordance with local and federal laws and regulations, after denying a report claiming explosions had been heard in the centre of the emirate.

In a statement posted on its official channels on the social media platform X on Thursday, July 16, the office urged the public and media outlets to rely only on official sources for accurate information and to refrain from spreading rumours or unverified reports.

Denial of Explosion Report

The warning followed the circulation of a Reuters report which stated that witnesses in the Business Bay area of the city had reported hearing loud booms at around 8:20 pm Dubai time on Thursday. The dispatch said the cause of the sounds was not immediately known and did not provide further details about any incident.

The Dubai Media Office rejected the report, describing it as false and confirming that no explosions had occurred in the Downtown area. "The Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO) confirms that the Reuters report regarding explosions in Downtown Dubai is false," the office said. A UAE Ministry of Defence official had earlier told a regional network that no explosions had taken place, and Reuters subsequently updated its live coverage to reflect the Dubai government's denial.

Reliance on Official Sources

In a separate post shortly afterward, the GDMO said action would be taken against media outlets that "publish false news or unverified information about Dubai, in accordance with local and federal laws and regulations." The office reiterated that official government channels remain the sole source of accurate information during developing situations, and stressed the importance of verifying information before publishing or circulating it.

The statement comes amid a period of heightened regional tension, during which authorities across the Gulf have repeatedly urged the public to depend on official communications rather than unverified social media posts and rumours. The emphasis on accurate reporting reflects broader concerns about the rapid spread of misinformation during fast-moving security-related events.