Article 9 of the Saudi Audiovisual Media Law
المادة 9 من نظام الإعلام المرئي والمسموع
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 تحددها 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 9 explained in plain English
This article protects the license from becoming a commodity traded without oversight. It prohibits four acts:
- Selling the license.
- Assigning it.
- Assigning part of it.
- Merging with another party, inside or outside the Kingdom.
The exception: these acts are permitted with the approval of the body that issued the license, and in accordance with the controls and procedures set by the regulations.
Who is the issuing body? The Law divides this between Articles 7 and 8: media broadcasting licenses are issued with the approval of the Council of Ministers on the Authority's recommendation, and the other licenses are granted by the Authority. The approval required therefore differs by type of license.
Practical notes:
- The prohibition covers partial assignment, so it cannot be avoided by assigning part of the license.
- A merger with a party outside the Kingdom is also covered.
- The details of the controls and procedures are in the regulations.
This article is very important in transactions to acquire or merge media companies: the parties' agreement is not enough, and approval must be obtained. The parties to such transactions therefore need to consult a lawyer who specializes in media regulation and administrative matters before concluding them.
Practical example
A company that owns a licensed radio station in Jeddah agreed with a Gulf investor to merge. The signatures of the two parties are not enough; a merger with another party abroad is permitted only with the approval of the body that issued the license, and in accordance with the controls set by the regulations.
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 9 of the Saudi Audiovisual Media Law
Can a media channel license be sold?
Not except with the approval of the body that issued the license and in accordance with the controls and procedures set by the regulations.
Does a merger with a foreign company need approval?
Yes. The article covers merging with another party inside or outside the Kingdom.
Can part of a license be assigned?
Not except with the approval of the issuing body. The article covers assigning the license or part of it.
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 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 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.