Article 18 of the Saudi Audiovisual Media Law

المادة 18 من نظام الإعلام المرئي والمسموع

The Authority may impose a fine of up to SAR 1 million, with appeal within sixty days, suspend broadcasting or a license as a precaution for up to sixty days, and hold equipment involved in a violation.

Official text (Arabic)

This article has not been amended since the law was issued.

مع مراعاة اختصاصات اللجنة الابتدائية المحددة في المادة (التاسعة عشرة) من النظام، تختص الهيئة بما يأتي:

1- إيقاع الغرامة المنصوص عليها في الفقرة (1/أ) من المادة (السابعة عشرة) من النظام -على مخالفات أحكام النظام واللائحة- بما لا يزيد على مليون ريال، وتحدد اللائحة المخالفات الموجبة لهذه الغرامة، والإجراءات والضوابط المتعلقة بذلك. ويجوز التظلم من القرار الصادر من الهيئة أمام اللجنة الابتدائية المنصوص عليها في المادة (التاسعة عشرة) من النظام خلال ستين يوماً من تاريخ إبلاغ المخالف بالقرار.

2- إيقاف البث أو تعليق الترخيص احترازيًّا -وفقاً لمقتضيات المصلحة العامة- مدة لا تزيد على ستين يوماً في حالة مخالفة أي من أحكام النظام واللائحة، على أنه يجوز لمن نفذ بحقه إجراء الإيقاف أو التعليق التظلم أمام اللجنة الاستئنافية خلال خمسة عشر يوماً من تاريخ إبلاغه بذلك، وعليها أن تبت في التظلم خلال مدة لا تتجاوز خمسة عشر يوماً من تاريخ تقديمه.

3- حجز الأجهزة والمعدات والأدوات محل المخالفة عند ضبطها، إلى حين البت فيها؛ وفقاً للإجراءات النظامية اللازمة في هذا الشأن.

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 18 explained in plain English

This article sets what the Authority is competent for directly, subject to the primary committee's competences in Article 19. There are three powers:

1. The fine

Imposing the fine in paragraph 1(a) of Article 17, but not exceeding SAR 1,000,000, although the cap on the fine in Article 17 is SAR 10 million.
The regulations set the violations that warrant this fine and its procedures and controls.
Appeal: permitted before the primary committee within 60 days of the violator being notified of the decision.

2. Precautionary suspension

Suspending broadcasting or a license as a precaution, in accordance with the requirements of the public interest.
For a period not exceeding 60 days.
In case of violating any provision of the Law and regulations.
Appeal: permitted before the appeal committee within 15 days of notification, and the committee must decide within a period not exceeding 15 days of the appeal being submitted.

3. Holding equipment

Holding the devices, equipment and tools involved in the violation when detected, until it is decided, in accordance with the statutory procedures.

The difference in the appeal path is important: an appeal against a fine goes to the primary committee within 60 days, while an appeal against suspension goes to the appeal committee within 15 days. Under Article 19, the primary committee hears violations of the Law other than those within the Authority's competence. Because the periods are short, it is advisable to act as soon as notified and to consult a lawyer who specializes in media regulation and administrative matters.

Practical example

A radio station in Riyadh was notified of a decision by the Authority to suspend its broadcasting as a precaution for 30 days. It has 15 days from notification to appeal to the appeal committee, and the committee must decide within 15 days of the appeal being submitted. If the decision had been a fine, the appeal would have been to the primary committee within 60 days.

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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