The UAE’s Attorney General has said that the Public Prosecution is continuing its investigation into the publication and circulation of a news report containing incorrect information about the sound of explosions being heard in central Dubai.
According to Counselor Dr Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, the Attorney General of the State, prosecutors have already heard from the journalist involved and summoned those responsible for preparing, approving and publishing the report at the agency. The aim is to establish each party’s role, examine how the story was prepared and cleared for publication, and assess whether legal and professional standards for verifying news before publication were followed, in order to determine responsibilities and take legal action based on the outcome of the investigation.
He stressed that the agency’s decision to withdraw the story and issue an apology does not prevent the investigation from continuing to identify legal responsibility and take any action required by law.
Reuters withdraws report
Earlier on Friday, Reuters expressed regret over publishing a story about the sound of explosions in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and announced that it had withdrawn the report.
In statements across its platforms, the agency said: “Reuters regrets publishing the July 16 story from Dubai headlined: ‘Explosions heard in central Dubai, witnesses say,’ which did not meet its editorial standards.”
It added: “Reuters was unable at the time to immediately verify the source or significance of the sounds, and the report did not make this clear.”
The agency continued: “In line with its commitment to fair and reliable news based on Thomson Reuters Trust Principles, Reuters withdrew the story and, the same evening, published a statement from the Dubai Media Office denying the claims in its original report.”
Dubai Media Office denial
Earlier, on Thursday, the official account of the Dubai Media Office denied the accuracy of a Reuters report about explosions heard in central Dubai.
The office wrote on the X platform: “The Dubai Media Office denies the accuracy of the Reuters report regarding explosions heard in central Dubai, and confirms that the information contained in it is incorrect.”
It added: “The office urges media outlets and the public to obtain news and information from official and reliable sources, to verify accuracy before publishing or circulating any information, and to avoid spreading rumours, false news and misleading press reports.”