Article 20 of the Saudi Audiovisual Media Law
المادة 20 من نظام الإعلام المرئي والمسموع
The appeal committee hears appeals against the primary committee's decisions and the Authority's decisions on precautionary suspension of broadcasting or licenses. Its decisions are final and cannot be challenged.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تتولى اللجنة الاستئنافية النظر في الآتي:
1- التظلمات التي يقدمها ذوو الشأن على قرارات اللجنة الابتدائية المشار إليها في المادة (التاسعة عشرة) من النظام.
2- ما تصدره الهيئة في شأن ايقاف البث، أو تعليق الترخيص احترازيًّا، وفقاً للفقرة (2) من المادة (الثامنة عشرة) من النظام.
وتصدر قراراتها بالأغلبية على الأقل، وتكون نهائية غير قابلة للطعن أمام أي جهة أخرى.
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 20 explained in plain English
This article sets the competence of the appeal committee, which under Article 1 is the appeal committee formed under the Press and Publications Law.
The committee hears two matters:
- Appeals against the primary committee's decisions referred to in Article 19. The primary committee hears violations of the Law other than those within the Authority's competence, violations by a Saudi outside the Kingdom, and appeals against fine decisions issued by the Authority.
- What the Authority issues on suspending broadcasting or suspending a license as a precaution, under paragraph 2 of Article 18. That paragraph provides that the appeal is within 15 days of notification, and the committee must decide it within a period not exceeding 15 days of its submission.
How decisions are issued: by at least a majority.
The force of decisions: final and not subject to challenge before any other body. This is a key point: under this text, the appeal committee's decision is the last stage.
The paths are therefore:
- A fine from the Authority, then an appeal to the primary committee, then an appeal against its decision to the appeal committee (final decision).
- A precautionary suspension from the Authority, then directly to the appeal committee (final decision).
Because the appeal committee's decision is final, preparing the appeal carefully from the start is very important, and it is advisable to consult a lawyer who specializes in media regulation and administrative matters before submitting it.
Practical example
The primary committee issued a decision suspending a program producer in Jeddah from practicing the profession for 4 months. He may appeal to the appeal committee, which issues its decision by at least a majority, and its decision is final and not subject to challenge before any other body.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentAdministrative Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Administrative Law (Board of Grievances) lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Al-Safwa Law Office and Legal Consultancy
Frequently asked questions about Article 20 of the Saudi Audiovisual Media Law
Can a decision of the media appeal committee be challenged?
No. The article provides that its decisions are final and not subject to challenge before any other body.
Where do I appeal a precautionary suspension of broadcasting?
Before the appeal committee, under this article and paragraph 2 of Article 18.
How does the appeal committee issue its decisions?
By at least a majority.
Articles this article refers to
- Article 18
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.
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
- Article 19
The primary committee hears violations of the Law other than those within the Authority's competence, violations by a Saudi outside the Kingdom, and appeals against the Authority's fines, and may publish the penalty decision in three newspapers.
1- فيما عدا ما تختص به الهيئة؛ تتولى اللجنة الابتدائية النظر في مخالفات أحكام النظام، وتطبيق العقوبات الواردة فيه. 2- تتولى اللجنة الابتدائية الآتي: أ - النظر ف
More articles on Audiovisual Media and Grievance Committees
- Article 18
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.
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
- Article 19
The primary committee hears violations of the Law other than those within the Authority's competence, violations by a Saudi outside the Kingdom, and appeals against the Authority's fines, and may publish the penalty decision in three newspapers.
1- فيما عدا ما تختص به الهيئة؛ تتولى اللجنة الابتدائية النظر في مخالفات أحكام النظام، وتطبيق العقوبات الواردة فيه. 2- تتولى اللجنة الابتدائية الآتي: أ - النظر ف
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.