Article 3 of the Saudi Audiovisual Media Law
المادة 3 من نظام الإعلام المرئي والمسموع
The article requires a license before carrying out any audiovisual media activity, in accordance with the Law and what the regulations set.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجب قبل ممارسة أي نشاط من أنشطة الإعلام المرئي والمسموع الحصول على ترخيص بذلك، وفقاً لما ورد في النظام، وما تحدده اللائحة.
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 3 explained in plain English
This article is the basic rule for entering the sector: before carrying out any audiovisual media activity, a license must be obtained.
The elements of the rule:
- Timing: the license comes before the activity. It is not permitted to carry out the activity and apply for a license later.
- Scope: "any activity" of audiovisual media. Under the definition in Article 1, these activities include broadcasting media content, rebroadcasting it, producing it for broadcast, distributing it or selling it so that it reaches the public, and they do not include what has the character of private correspondence.
- Reference: the license is obtained in accordance with the Law and what the regulations set.
This article does not set out the types of licenses or their conditions. Under Article 8, the Authority is responsible for granting the licenses needed for audiovisual media activities, subject to Article 7, under which media broadcasting licenses are issued with the approval of the Council of Ministers on the Authority's recommendation. The regulations set the types of licenses and their criteria, conditions and procedures.
A practically important point for anyone starting a media project is to first check which type of license their activity needs. Carrying out an activity without a license is a violation of the Law that may bring the penalties in Article 17. To check whether a particular activity needs a license, you can consult a lawyer who specializes in media regulation and administrative matters.
Practical example
Sultan wants to set up a company in Riyadh to produce visual programs and sell them to television channels. Because producing content for broadcast and selling it so that it reaches the public are audiovisual media activities, he must obtain the license before starting, as the regulations set.
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 3 of the Saudi Audiovisual Media Law
Is a license required before carrying out a visual or audio media activity?
Yes. The article requires a license before carrying out any audiovisual media activity.
Which activities need a license?
Any audiovisual media activity, which under Article 1 means broadcasting content, rebroadcasting it, producing it for broadcast, distributing it or selling it so that it reaches the public.
Where do I find the license conditions?
The article refers to the Law and what the regulations set, and Article 8 refers the types of licenses, their criteria and conditions to the regulations.
More articles on Licensing of Broadcasting and Audiovisual Media
- Article 7
Media broadcasting licenses are issued, renewed, amended, suspended and canceled with the approval of the Council of Ministers on the Authority's recommendation, and the regulations set the conditions.
تصدر التراخيص الخاصة بالبث الإعلامي، وتجدد، وتعدل، وتعلق، وتلغى؛ بموافقة مجلس الوزراء بناء على توصية من الهيئة، وتحدد اللائحة الشروط والضوابط الخاصة بذلك.
- Article 8
The Authority is competent to grant, amend, suspend, cancel and renew audiovisual media licenses, subject to Article 7, and the regulations set the license types, criteria, conditions and procedures.
مع مراعاة ما ورد في المادة (السابعة) من النظام، تختص الهيئة بمنح التراخيص اللازمة لأنشطة الإعلام المرئي والمسموع، أو تعديلها، أو تعليقها، أو إلغائها، أو تجديدها
- Article 9
A media license may not be sold, assigned in whole or in part, or merged with another party, inside or outside the Kingdom, without the approval of the body that issued it.
لا يجوز بيع الترخيص، أو التنازل عنه أو جزء منه، أو الاندماج مع الغير في الداخل أو الخارج؛ إلا بموافقة الجهة التي أصدرته، وذلك وفقاً للضوابط والإجراءات التي تحدد
- Article 10
The article tasks the Board with setting the rules for determining the fee for issuing licenses and for the Authority's services under the Law and regulations, and the mechanism for collecting it.
يضع المجلس قواعد تحديد المقابل المالي لإصدار التراخيص، وما تقدمه الهيئة من خدمات بموجب النظام واللائحة، وآلية تحصيله.
- Article 22
Radio and television channels belonging to the Saudi Broadcasting Corporation at the time the Law takes effect are deemed licensed by operation of law, while remaining subject to the Law and regulations.
تعد القنوات الإذاعية والتلفزيونية التابعة لهيئة الإذاعة والتلفزيون -وقت نفاذ هذا النظام- مرخصة حكماً؛ على أن تخضع تلك القنوات لأحكام النظام واللائحة.
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.