Article 2 of the Saudi Audiovisual Media Law
المادة 2 من نظام الإعلام المرئي والمسموع
The article sets the Law's aims: to regulate and develop audiovisual media activity in the Kingdom, provide a suitable investment environment, and keep its content consistent with the Kingdom's media policy.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يهدف النظام إلى تنظيم نشاط الإعلام المرئي والمسموع داخل المملكة، وتطويره، والعمل على توفير البيئة الاستثمارية الملائمة له، والعمل على أن يكون محتواه متسقاً والسياسة الإعلامية للمملكة.
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 2 explained in plain English
This article states the aims the Law was made to achieve. There are four:
- To regulate audiovisual media activity within the Kingdom.
- To develop it.
- To work to provide a suitable investment environment for it.
- To work to ensure that its content is consistent with the Kingdom's media policy.
An article on aims has practical value even though it creates no direct obligation, because it helps in understanding and interpreting the rest of the Law. For example:
- The aim of regulation appears in the requirement of a license before carrying out any activity in Article 3.
- The aim of consistency with the media policy appears in the content controls in Article 5, the first of which is compliance with the Kingdom's media policy.
- The aim of an investment environment appears in provisions such as the prohibition of what harms the broadcasting market in Article 14.
Note that the article combines two dimensions: an economic one that seeks to develop the sector and attract investment, and a supervisory one that seeks to keep content in line with the Kingdom's media policy. Understanding this balance is useful for investors and people working in the sector. An investor considering entering this sector may benefit from consulting a lawyer who specializes in media regulation and administrative matters.
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 2 of the Saudi Audiovisual Media Law
What are the aims of the Audiovisual Media Law?
To regulate the activity within the Kingdom, develop it, provide a suitable investment environment for it, and keep its content consistent with the Kingdom's media policy.
Does the Law care about investment in media?
Yes. One of its stated aims in Article 2 is to work to provide a suitable investment environment for audiovisual media.
More articles on Scope of the Audiovisual Media Law
- Article 1
The article defines the terms of the Audiovisual Media Law, such as media content, broadcasting, rebroadcasting, licensee, broadcasting license, broadcasting network, and the primary and appeal committees.
التعريفات: يقصد بالألفاظ والعبارات الآتية -أينما وردت في هذا النظام- المعاني المبينة أمام كل منها، ما لم يقتضِ السياق خلاف ذلك: 1- النظام: نظام الإعلام المرئي و
- Article 4
Those working in audiovisual media are subject to the Law, its regulations and the professional conduct rules set by the Authority.
يخضع العاملون في مجال الإعلام المرئي والمسموع لأحكام النظام ولائحته، ولضوابط أداء المهنة للعاملين في هذا المجال، التي تضعها الهيئة.
- Article 23
The Minister issues the regulations on the Board's proposal within ninety days of the Law taking effect, publishes them, and issues the decisions needed to implement the Law.
يصدر الوزير اللائحة -بناء على اقتراح من المجلس- خلال (تسعين) يوماً من تاريخ العمل بالنظام، وتنشر في الجريدة الرسمية، ويصدر كذلك القرارات اللازمة لتنفيذ أحكامه.
- Article 24
The article provides that the Audiovisual Media Law takes effect 90 days after its publication in the Official Gazette.
يعمل بالنظام بعد (تسعين) يوماً من تاريخ نشره في الجريدة الرسمية.
- Article 25
The article provides that the Audiovisual Media Law repeals all provisions that conflict with it.
يُلغي النظام جميع ما يتعارض معه من أحكام.
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.