Article 19 of the Saudi Audiovisual Media Law

This article sets the competences of the primary committee, which under Article 1 is the primary committee formed under the Press and Publications Law.

1. The general competence: except for what is within the Authority's competence, the committee hears violations of the Law and applies the penalties in it. Under Article 18, the Authority is competent to impose a fine not exceeding SAR 1 million, precautionary suspension, and holding equipment.

2. Specific competences:

• (a) A violation by a Saudi outside the Kingdom: hearing the violation of a Saudi who commits any of the Law's violations outside the Kingdom, and imposing a suitable penalty from the penalties of Article 17, which are a fine not exceeding SAR 10 million, suspension from practicing the profession for up to 6 months, and cancellation of the license.
• (b) Appeals: hearing the appeals submitted by those concerned against the Authority's decisions referred to in paragraph 1 of Article 18, meaning fine decisions. Article 18 sets the period for this appeal at 60 days from the violator being notified of the decision.

3. Publication: the committee may include in the penalty decision a provision for its publication:

• After it becomes final.
• At the violator's expense.
• In 3 local newspapers, at least one of which is published where they reside, or if there is no newspaper in their region, in a newspaper published in the nearest region.

Paragraph 2(a) means a Saudi does not escape the Law merely because the violation was committed outside the Kingdom. A person referred to the committee is advised to consult a lawyer who specializes in media regulation and administrative matters.