Article 25 of the Saudi Audiovisual Media Law
المادة 25 من نظام الإعلام المرئي والمسموع
The article provides that the Audiovisual Media Law repeals all provisions that conflict with it.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يُلغي النظام جميع ما يتعارض معه من أحكام.
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 25 explained in plain English
This is an article of implied repeal. It is short but its effect is wide: the Law repeals all provisions that conflict with it.
What does that mean?
- The article does not name a particular law or provisions for repeal, but sets a general standard, which is conflict.
- Every earlier provision that conflicts with the provisions of this Law is considered repealed.
- Provisions that do not conflict with it remain in force.
The practical effect is that determining what has been repealed is not always straightforward. It requires comparing the earlier provision with the provisions of this Law to see whether there is a conflict. This is a matter of interpretation on which opinions may differ in some cases.
Note that the Law itself refers to other laws that must be taken into account, which indicates that it does not repeal them wholesale: Article 11 refers to the Telecommunications Law for frequencies, Article 14 takes the Competition Law into account, and the primary and appeal committees are formed under the Press and Publications Law under Article 1. Article 17 also provides that it is without prejudice to any more severe penalty provided by another law.
A person who faces an apparent conflict between a provision of this Law and a provision of an earlier regulation, and needs to know which provision applies, is advised to consult 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.
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 25 of the Saudi Audiovisual Media Law
Did the Audiovisual Media Law repeal earlier laws?
The article provides that the Law repeals all provisions that conflict with it, without naming specific provisions.
Do non-conflicting provisions remain in force?
The article limits the repeal to what conflicts with the Law, so what does not conflict with it is not covered by this repeal.
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 2
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.
يهدف النظام إلى تنظيم نشاط الإعلام المرئي والمسموع داخل المملكة، وتطويره، والعمل على توفير البيئة الاستثمارية الملائمة له، والعمل على أن يكون محتواه متسقاً والس
- 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.
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.