Article 7 of the Saudi Audiovisual Media Law
المادة 7 من نظام الإعلام المرئي والمسموع
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تصدر التراخيص الخاصة بالبث الإعلامي، وتجدد، وتعدل، وتعلق، وتلغى؛ بموافقة مجلس الوزراء بناء على توصية من الهيئة، وتحدد اللائحة الشروط والضوابط الخاصة بذلك.
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 7 explained in plain English
This article sets a special rule for media broadcasting licenses, distinguishing them from other audiovisual media licenses.
The procedures covered: issuing the license, renewing it, amending it, suspending it and canceling it.
The authority: all of this takes place with the approval of the Council of Ministers, on the Authority's recommendation. The Authority recommends, and the final decision rests on the approval of the Council of Ministers.
Conditions and controls: the regulations set them; the text does not state them.
Why this high level? The text does not give the reason, but the definition of a broadcasting license in Article 1 shows its nature: it is establishing and operating a broadcasting station under a contract or agreement that governs the relationship between the Authority and the licensee.
The difference between this article and Article 8: Article 8 gives the Authority competence to grant, amend, suspend, cancel and renew the licenses needed for audiovisual media activities in general, but subject to what is in Article 7. Media broadcasting licenses in particular therefore require the approval of the Council of Ministers.
Note that broadcasting that uses frequencies must also meet the requirements for allocating and licensing frequencies from the Communications and Information Technology Commission before the license is granted, under Article 11. An investor who wants to set up a broadcasting station should consult a lawyer who specializes in media regulation and administrative matters.
Practical example
A media company in Riyadh wants to launch a television channel that broadcasts from its own station. It submits its application to the Authority, which studies it under the conditions of the regulations and then submits its recommendation. The broadcasting license is issued only with the approval of the Council of Ministers.
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 7 of the Saudi Audiovisual Media Law
Who issues a media broadcasting license in Saudi Arabia?
It is issued with the approval of the Council of Ministers on the recommendation of the General Authority for Audiovisual Media.
Does renewing a broadcasting license need the Council of Ministers' approval?
Yes. The article covers issuing, renewal, amendment, suspension and cancellation.
Where do I find the broadcasting license conditions?
The article leaves setting the conditions and controls to the regulations.
More articles on Licensing of Broadcasting and Audiovisual Media
- Article 3
The article requires a license before carrying out any audiovisual media activity, in accordance with the Law and what the regulations set.
يجب قبل ممارسة أي نشاط من أنشطة الإعلام المرئي والمسموع الحصول على ترخيص بذلك، وفقاً لما ورد في النظام، وما تحدده اللائحة.
- 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.