Article 23 of the Saudi Publications Law
المادة 23 من نظام المطبوعات والنشر
The article allows foreign newspapers to be printed in the Kingdom after the Prime Minister's approval, as set by the Implementing Regulations and consistent with the Law.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجوز بعد موافقة رئيس مجلس الوزراء أن تطبع صحف أجنبية في المملكة وفقًا لما تحدده اللائحة التنفيذية، وبما يتفق مع أحكام هذا النظام.
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 23 explained in plain English
This article deals with printing foreign newspapers inside the Kingdom, and allows it on three conditions:
- The approval of the Prime Minister, so the decision does not rest with the Ministry alone.
- It must be as the Implementing Regulations provide.
- It must be consistent with the provisions of this Law.
Under Article 1, a newspaper is any printed material with a fixed title issued periodically or on occasions, at regular or irregular intervals, such as newspapers, magazines and bulletins. What is meant here is foreign newspapers that are to be printed inside the Kingdom.
The article does not describe the procedures for requesting approval or the detailed conditions; these are set by the Implementing Regulations.
This article comes after Article 22, which refers to the Implementing Regulations the regulation of importing and distributing external printed materials and facilitating researchers' carrying of books. After it comes Article 24, which provides that local newspapers are not subject to control except in exceptional circumstances approved by the Prime Minister.
In practice, a foreign party that wants to print its newspaper inside the Kingdom needs approval at the highest level, and must then comply with what the Regulations set and with the provisions of the Law. Anyone who needs to deal with these procedures can consult a lawyer who specializes in media and publishing law.
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 23 of the Saudi Publications Law
May a foreign newspaper be printed in Saudi Arabia?
Yes, after the Prime Minister's approval, as the Implementing Regulations provide and consistent with the provisions of the Law.
Who approves printing foreign newspapers in the Kingdom?
The Prime Minister.
More articles on Foreign Printed Materials and Imports
- Article 18
The article provides that external printed materials are approved if they are free of anything that offends Islam or the system of government, harms the supreme interest of the state, or offends public decency.
تجاز المطبوعات الخارجية، إذا خلت من كل ما يسيء إلى الإسلام، أو نظام الحكم، أو يضر بالمصلحة العليا للدولة، أو يخدش الآداب العامة وينافي الأخلاق.
- Article 19
The article requires external printed materials to be approved or rejected, with reasons, within 30 days of receiving the request, and refers the treatment of newspapers to the Regulations.
تجاز المطبوعات الخارجية، أو ترفض مع بيان الأسباب خلال ثلاثين يومًا من تاريخ تسلم الطلب، أما الصحف فتعامل وفقًا لما تحدده اللائحة التنفيذية.
- Article 20
The article requires every Saudi who issues a non-periodical printed material outside the Kingdom and asks for its approval to attach proof of depositing the required copies under the Deposit Law.
على كل سعودي يصدر مطبوعة غير دورية خارج المملكة، ويتقدم للوزارة بطلب إجازتها أن يرفق بطلبه ما يثبت إيداع النسخ المطلوبة، وفق نظام الإيداع.
- Article 21
The article exempts from the Ministry's control printed materials that government bodies, educational and research institutions, scientific societies, literary clubs and private press institutions import for their purposes.
لا تسري رقابة الوزارة على ما تستورده الجهات الحكومية والمؤسسات التعليمية والبحثية، والجمعيات العلمية، والأندية الأدبية والثقافية والمؤسسات الصحفية الأهلية من مط
- Article 22
The article refers to the Implementing Regulations the regulation of importing and distributing external printed materials, and the procedures for facilitating researchers' carrying of books and subscribing to them for their scientific purposes.
تحدد اللائحة التنفيذية- في حدود أحكام هذا النظام- تنظيم استيراد المطبوعات الخارجية وتوزيعها. كما تحدد الإجراءات اللازمة لتسهيل اصطحاب الكتب والمطبوعات الأخرى، و
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.