Article 12 of the Saudi Audiovisual Media Law
المادة 12 من نظام الإعلام المرئي والمسموع
The Authority protects the rights of beneficiaries and licensees and settles their disputes, unless one party is a telecommunications service provider, in which case the Communications and Information Technology Commission is competent.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- تتولى الهيئة توفير الحماية لحقوق المستفيدين والمرخص لهم؛ وفقاً لضوابط تحددها اللائحة.
2- تعمل الهيئة على تسوية الخلافات بين المرخص لهم، أو بينهم وبين المستفيدين، وتحدد اللائحة إجراءات تسوية هذه الخلافات؛ إلا إذا كان أحد أطراف الخلاف من مقدمي خدمة الاتصالات فتكون التسوية من اختصاص هيئة الاتصالات وتقنية المعلومات؛ وفقاً لنظام الاتصالات.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 12 explained in plain English
This article gives the Authority two roles in protecting parties in the audiovisual media market:
Paragraph 1: protection
The Authority protects the rights of:
- Beneficiaries.
- Licensees.
This is in accordance with controls set by the regulations. The article does not define beneficiaries and does not detail the rights protected.
Paragraph 2: settling disputes
The Authority works to settle two kinds of disputes:
- Disputes between licensees themselves.
- Disputes between licensees and beneficiaries.
The regulations set the settlement procedures.
The important exception: if one of the parties to the dispute is a telecommunications service provider, settlement is within the competence of the Communications and Information Technology Commission, in accordance with the Telecommunications Law.
The practical effect: a person with a dispute with a licensed media body first identifies the nature of the other party. If it is a licensee in audiovisual media, the Authority is competent to settle it under the procedures of the regulations, and if it is a telecommunications service provider, the Communications and Information Technology Commission is.
The article does not state the effect of the settlement or how binding it is, or its relationship to litigation. To learn the options available in a particular dispute, you can consult a lawyer who specializes in media regulation and administrative matters.
Practical example
Abdullah in Riyadh subscribes to a paid visual content service provided by a licensed body, and a dispute arose between them. He can go to the Authority to settle the dispute under the procedures of the regulations. If the other party were a telecommunications service provider, the settlement would be within the competence of the Communications and Information Technology Commission.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 12 of the Saudi Audiovisual Media Law
Who settles disputes between a subscriber and a licensed channel?
The Authority works to settle disputes between licensees and beneficiaries, under procedures set by the regulations.
When is the Communications and Information Technology Commission competent for settlement?
If one of the parties to the dispute is a telecommunications service provider, in accordance with the Telecommunications Law.
Does the Authority protect licensees' rights?
Yes. It protects the rights of beneficiaries and licensees under controls set by the regulations.
More articles on Frequencies, Competition and Beneficiaries' Rights
- Article 11
Before granting a broadcasting license that uses frequencies, the Communications and Information Technology Commission's frequency requirements must be met, and the Authority updates broadcasting equipment specifications and approves their import and clearance.
1- يشترط قبل منح ترخيص البث الذي تستخدم فيه الترددات -وفقاً لأحكام النظام ولائحته- استيفاء المتطلبات المتعلقة بتخصيص الترددات وترخيصها من هيئة الاتصالات وتقنية
- Article 14
Licensees may not harm the broadcasting, rebroadcasting or media production market, subject to the Competition Law, and encrypting content of national occasions that the Authority specifies is prohibited.
1- مع مراعاة ما قضى به نظام المنافسة، يحظر على المرخص لهم القيام بما يؤثر سلباً على سوق البث، وإعادة البث، أو الإنتاج الإعلامي المرئي أو المسموع، أو أي أمر يتصل
- Article 21
If a broadcasting or rebroadcasting license is canceled, suspended or not renewed, the Authority must take what is necessary to prevent harm to workers' interests and preserve their rights.
في حال إلغاء الترخيص الخاص بمجال البث أو إعادة البث، أو تعليقه، أو عدم تجديده؛ فتتخذ الهيئة ما يلزم لضمان عدم الإضرار بمصالح العاملين وحفظ حقوقهم وفقاً للقواعد
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.