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The media didn't get it wrong, it was officially announced that ID would be needed for car rego and many people were turned away if they didn't have the ID card.  Then the authorities realised the chaos they'd caused and changed the decision, so we're now back to what it was before.

It's not unusual here; decisions are made but don't work (for a variety of reasons) so we get 'clarifications' - which means they're changed or quietly cancelled.

Yep your right, dubai does keep changing their minds or polices at a drop of a hat, but the day after i heard it on the radio regarding car registrations and bank accounts, new employees were not turned away from banks and the head of RTA stated the next day in 7days that it was not yet made official, but the radio continued stating otherwise, which was very confusing.
   
Tasjeel/ENOC in Jebel ali where i went, were never notified to only register ID card holders only, so the info given by the radio was untrue.

If you look at The National story today with the headline "Motorists get temporary ID card amnesty" which you can find here:

thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100511/NATIONAL/705109841/1041/business

you'll see why there was confusion and misunderstanding!

05.05 the article below is what i mentioned earlier, which contradicted the radio regarding dubai (not concerned with other emirates, this is where i live, work, play and register), the article was written the same time the radio stations were podcasting nonsense.

7days.ae/storydetails.php?id=93863&page=localnews&title=National ID cards - what is  going on?

still think the radio stations are SH*T!

Instead of having multiple identity cards like driving licences, work permits, employee cards, passports, e-cards, the UAE Federal Government created a single national identity card in April 2006, with in-built smart features including biometrics and advanced ID features that will eventually eliminate the need to carry multiple cards. From April 2010, Emirates Identity Authority has promised that it will take just 5 minutes to register for an ID card.

Registration opened in various phases beginning with UAE nationals, GCC citizens working or residing in the UAE, °µÍø½ûÇøriate government staff and professionals (anyone with a degree) in the private sector. It is now also open for Group 3 (cleaners, farmers, fishermen, drivers, housemaids, security guards etc and Group 4 (construction workers).

You must be either a UAE national, a GCC citizen working or residing in the UAE, or a UAE resident and above 15 years of age.  The card is valid for lifetime for nationals (with renewal every five years) and validity for other residents depends on the validity of the visa. However, the same card can be used, once the residence visa is renewed.