UAE's PR Machine: Influencers Shift From War Footage To Praising Leadership Amid Attacks

• Dubai influencers initially documented missile and drone attacks from Iran, sharing urgent updates and war footage.
• British fitness influencer Will Bailey, among others, posted videos of plumes of smoke and discussed the unsettling situation.
• Content dramatically shifted from war reports to polished tributes praising UAE leadership and military, raising censorship concerns.
• UAE authorities warned against sharing misinformation or content that could 'incite panic,' leading to prosecution.
• Critics argue this directive gives the government broad power to control narratives, with similar restrictions seen in Qatar and Kuwait.