Audiovisual Media Law

Purpose and scope

• Regulates audiovisual media activity in the Kingdom and its development (Article 2), and requires a licence before any such activity (Article 3).

Key rules, rights and obligations

• Anyone in audiovisual media must follow content rules, including the national media policy, no offence to the fundamentals of Sharia or to the King or Crown Prince, and no stirring of division or incitement to violence (Article 5).
• Licensees may not act in ways that harm the broadcasting or media production market, subject to the Competition Law (Article 14).

Violations, penalties and common problems

• Penalties: a fine of up to ten million riyals, suspension of up to six months, or licence cancellation, with recovery of any gain from the violation (Article 17).
• The authority imposes fines of up to one million riyals for violations set in the regulation (Article 18).
• Common problem: broadcasting content or offering a media service without a licence.

Procedures and key deadlines

• The authority's decision may be challenged before the first-instance committee within sixty days of notification (Article 18).
• The first-instance committee hears other violations (Article 19), and the appeal committee hears challenges to its decisions (Article 20).

An advisory summary prepared by Al-Bayan Al-Wadih Law Firm. It is not an official text and does not replace the law, its implementing regulations, or advice from a specialised lawyer. The official published text and its amendments prevail.