Sharjah Government Media Bureau, established under the direction of HH Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, serves as the emirate’s official voice across local, regional, and international media platforms
By Imran Malik | Media & UAE Affairs Desk | SharjahNews.ae
Behind every story about Sharjah’s cultural achievements, government initiatives, and global milestones stands one institution whose work most people never see but whose impact is felt everywhere.
The Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB) is the official independent body responsible for every dimension of Sharjah’s media presence and government communication — from local Arabic coverage to international English-language outreach, from press events to digital content strategy.
Established under the direct direction and patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, SGMB is not simply a government communications department. It is the custodian of Sharjah’s narrative — the institution entrusted with telling the emirate’s story accurately, professionally, and with the depth that Sharjah’s extraordinary cultural legacy deserves.
The Vision — From Sharjah to the World
SGMB’s founding purpose is clear and ambitious. It exists to drive Sharjah’s media presence on the local, regional, and international maps simultaneously — ensuring that the emirate’s achievements, values, and vision reach audiences far beyond the Gulf.
In his Chairman’s message, His Excellency Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council, set the institutional tone with characteristic directness.
“The collaborative efforts of the government and private sector have played a significant role in highlighting Sharjah’s civic and historic accomplishments on the global map,” he said, adding that the crucial contribution of Sharjah’s media outlets in achieving this is truly laudable.
The Bureau’s approach to communication, the Chairman emphasised, stems from the nation’s authentic culture — values and beliefs that have stood the test of time and must be carried forward into the future.
The Director General — Building an Integrated Media System
H.E. Tariq Saeed Allay, Director General of SGMB, has articulated a vision that goes beyond simple media management.
Under his leadership, SGMB has evolved into what he describes as a media hub that carries Sharjah’s message to the world — built on the three pillars of transparency, integrity, and accuracy.
“Our main objective is to bolster the Emirate’s position in the local, regional and international media arena,” he said, “as well as achieving integration between the various institutions of Sharjah on the one hand and between local, Arab and international media on the other hand.”
His message also reflects SGMB’s commitment to the people who make media possible. The Bureau considers members of the media a priority, valuing their efforts in disseminating Sharjah’s message and consistently looking for ways to facilitate their work and strengthen cooperation with them.
SGMB under Allay’s direction has also focused on enriching the media work environment in Sharjah and attracting talent and expertise to improve the quality of media performance across the emirate.
The Director — Digital, Creative and Community-Focused
Her Excellency Alya Bu Ghanem Al Suwaidi, Director of SGMB, brings a contemporary and community-centered perspective to the Bureau’s daily operations.
Her guiding belief is both simple and powerful. Government communication should build trust, be transparent, and keep people connected.
Under her direction, SGMB has significantly expanded its scope beyond traditional media management. The Bureau now actively encompasses digital media, content creation, media training, and strategic events — responding to the fast-changing ways in which audiences receive and interact with information in 2026.
“Our communication adapts to fast-paced changes in how audiences receive and interact with information, responding thoughtfully to a global media landscape that calls for smart and strategic engagement,” she said.
Her focus on producing innovative and high-quality content that authentically embodies Sharjah’s identity reflects a modern understanding of what government communication must achieve in the social media age. The goal, as she articulates it, is to share the emirate’s essence and values to the world with clarity and purpose.
What SGMB Actually Does — The Full Scope
SGMB’s work spans a remarkably broad operational landscape that most residents and observers of Sharjah encounter without necessarily recognizing the Bureau’s hand behind it.
The Bureau coordinates with Sharjah’s government entities, relevant federal agencies, and international organizations to exchange knowledge and expertise. It partners with international bodies to provide superior media services in line with international best practices. It supports major events held in the emirate and ensures Sharjah’s achievements receive appropriate coverage across all sectors.
It also puts in place the necessary strategies to enhance the effectiveness of Sharjah’s media entities — driven by responsibility, professionalism, creativity, and competitive edge.
In practical terms, SGMB is the institution that ensures that when Sharjah’s ruler makes an announcement, it reaches the right audience. When Sharjah hosts a cultural event, the world knows about it. When the emirate achieves a milestone, that achievement is documented, communicated, and amplified across every relevant media platform.
Why SGMB Matters for Sharjah’s Global Standing
Sharjah has built one of the Arab world’s most distinctive cultural and intellectual identities — as the UAE’s cultural capital, a UNESCO World Book Capital, home to the Sharjah International Book Fair, and a center of arts, heritage, and education that consistently punches above its geographic weight on the global stage.
None of that global visibility happens without deliberate, professional, and strategic communication. SGMB is the institution that makes Sharjah’s international reputation a daily, managed reality rather than an occasional accident of good news coverage.
For media professionals, journalists, and content creators seeking to cover Sharjah — whether for Arabic, English, Urdu, or any other language audience — SGMB is the essential first point of contact, the institutional partner, and the professional resource that makes quality Sharjah coverage possible.
