diff --git a/app/models/ability.rb b/app/models/ability.rb
index 3bd4ad063..9cfd20bd6 100644
--- a/app/models/ability.rb
+++ b/app/models/ability.rb
@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@ def initialize(user)
       can :create, Work
       can :create, Entity
       can :create, EntityNoticeRole
+      can :create, MediaMention
 
       can :pdf_requests, :all
       can :view_full_version, Notice
diff --git a/spec/models/ability_spec.rb b/spec/models/ability_spec.rb
index 5a63aeea9..72f7184c3 100644
--- a/spec/models/ability_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/ability_spec.rb
@@ -166,6 +166,12 @@
       expect(subject.can? :edit, user).to be_falsey
       expect(subject.can? :edit, role).to be_falsey
     end
+
+    it "can create media mentions" do
+      %i[create read update].each do |action|
+        expect(subject.can? action, MediaMention.new).to be true
+      end
+    end
   end
 
   context "a super admin" do