UAE passes new law for journalists

The United Arab Emirates passed a controversial law yesterday that includes hefty fines for journalists, the official news agency reported.

The report did not include details of the final law, but a draft version included fines up to about US$136,000 ($248,538) for "carrying misleading news that harms the national economy."

It also included a staggering fine of US$1,350,000 for "insulting" members of the Government and ruling family, according to New York-based Human Rights Watch.