Article 13 of the Saudi Publications Law
المادة 13 من نظام المطبوعات والنشر
The article requires two copies of a printed material to be submitted to the Ministry for approval before printing or circulation, and requires the Ministry to decide, with reasons, within 30 days, with a right to file a grievance.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
على كل مؤلف أو ناشر أو طابع أو موزع يرغب في طباعة أي مطبوعة أو توزيعها أن يقدم نسختين منها إلى الوزارة لإجازتها قبل طبعها أو عرضها للتداول، وعلى الوزارة إجازة المطبوعة أو رفضها مع بيان الأسباب خلال ثلاثين يومًا، ولصاحب الشأن التظلم من قرار الرفض لدى الوزير .
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 13 explained in plain English
This article regulates what is known in practice as approval of a printed material before it is printed or distributed, and it includes the following:
- Who is bound: every author, publisher, printer or distributor who wishes to print or distribute any printed material. Under Article 1, a printed material is any means of expression printed for circulation.
- What is submitted: two copies of the printed material to the Ministry.
- When: before printing it or offering it for circulation.
- The Ministry's duty: to approve the printed material or reject it with reasons stated within 30 days.
- Right to file a grievance: the interested party may file a grievance against a rejection decision with the Minister.
The Ministry is therefore bound by two things: deciding within the period, and giving reasons for a rejection. This lets the owner of the printed material know the reason for the rejection and address it or file a grievance. The article says no more about when the thirty days begin, or about what follows if they pass without a reply.
Article 14 is related, requiring every printing press to keep a register of the printed materials printed there, to be shown to the competent officials on request. Anyone whose printed material was rejected and who wants to file a grievance can consult a lawyer who specializes in media and publishing law.
Practical example
An author in Khobar has finished a novel and wants to print it. She or her publisher must submit two copies to the Ministry of Media before printing, and the Ministry must reply with approval or a reasoned rejection within 30 days. If it is rejected, she may file a grievance with the Minister.
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 13 of the Saudi Publications Law
How many copies must be submitted to the Ministry of Media to approve a book?
Two copies of the printed material, before printing it or offering it for circulation.
How long does the Ministry of Media have to respond to a request to approve a printed material?
The Ministry must approve the printed material or reject it, stating the reasons, within thirty days.
What can I do if the Ministry rejects my book?
The interested party has the right to file a grievance against the rejection decision with the Minister.
More articles on Approving Domestic Printed Materials
- Article 6
The article allows government bodies, educational and research institutions, scientific societies, literary clubs and private press institutions to issue non-periodical publications within their field and under their responsibility.
للجهات الحكومية، والمؤسسات التعليمية والبحثية، والجمعيات العلمية، والأندية الأدبية والثقافية، والمؤسسات الصحفية الأهلية إصدار مطبوعات غير دورية في مجال اختصاصها
- Article 10
The article requires the necessary details to be recorded on every printed material printed inside the Kingdom, as set by the Implementing Regulations.
يجب أن تدون على كل مطبوعة تطبع داخل المملكة البيانات الورقية الضرورية بحسب ما تقرره اللائحة التنفيذية.
- Article 14
The article requires a printing press to keep a register of the printed materials printed there, to be shown to the competent officials on request, and lets the Ministry exempt some printed materials in the Regulations.
على كل مطبوعة أن تحتفظ بسجل للمطبوعات التي تطبع فيها يبرز للمختصين عند الطلب، وللوزارة في اللائحة التنفيذية أن تستثني من شرط التسجيل ما تراه من مطبوعات.
- Article 15
The article makes the author, publisher and printer responsible for violations in a printed material printed or circulated without approval, then the distributor if they cannot be identified, then the seller.
المؤلف و الناشر و الطابع مسئولون عما يرد في المطبوعة من مخالفات إذا طبعت أو وضعت للتداول دون إجازتها، فإذا تعذرت معرفة أي منهم أصبح الموزع هو المسئول، وإلا فتقع
- Article 16
The article provides that the Ministry requires the author or publisher to submit the copies required for deposit of what is printed inside the Kingdom, according to the Deposit Law.
تكلف الوزارة المؤلف أو الناشر أن يقدم وفق نظام الإيداع، النسخ المطلوبة منه للإيداع، مما يطبع داخل المملكة.
- Article 42
The article requires the Ministry to assign qualified people with competence, specialization and familiarity with the laws to approve scientific and intellectual works, and allows it to use non-full-time people from outside.
على الوزارة أن تكلف لإجازة الأعمال العلمية والفكرية، من تتوافر فيهم الأهلية لذلك من ذوي الكفاية والتخصص، والإلمام بالأنظمة، وتعليمات النشر، ولها أن تستعين في ذل
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.