Article 25 of the Saudi Publications Law
المادة 25 من نظام المطبوعات والنشر
The article regulates issuing newspapers by private bodies and individuals under a license after the Prime Minister's approval, accepts the Ministry's approval alone for some bulletins and magazines, and sets who is responsible for what is published.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1 - يجوز- خارج نطاق المؤسسات الصحفية الأهلية- إصدار الصحف من قبل الجهات الأهلية أو الأفراد بترخيص من الوزارة بعد موافقة رئيس مجلس الوزراء .
2 - يكتفى بموافقة الوزارة لإصدار ما يأتي :
أ - النشرات محدودة التداول، ولغير أغراض البيع، مما تصدره الجهات الأهلية، على أن تقتصر هذه النشرات على ما يخدم نشاط الجهة التي تصدرها.
ب - المجلات العلمية والمهنية المتخصصة، التي تصدرها جهات أهلية أو أفراد.
3 - إصدار الصحف والمجلات العلمية من قبل المؤسسات العامة التعليمية والجهات الحكومية، وذلك بعد إشعار الوزارة.
4 - المشرف على أي من المطبوعات الواردة في هذه المادة ومدير الجهة التي تصدر عنها مسئولان عما ينشر فيها بموجب 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 25 explained in plain English
This article regulates who may issue newspapers and by what procedure, and sets four provisions:
- Private bodies and individuals: outside private press institutions, they may issue newspapers under a license from the Ministry after the Prime Minister's approval.
- What the Ministry's approval alone is enough for:
- Limited-circulation bulletins, not for sale, issued by private bodies, provided they are limited to what serves the activity of the body that issues them.
- Specialized scientific and professional magazines issued by private bodies or individuals.
- Public educational institutions and government bodies: they issue newspapers and scientific magazines after notifying the Ministry, so notification is enough.
- Responsibility: the supervisor of any of these publications and the head of the body that issues it are responsible for what is published in it under the provisions of the Law.
The article thus steps up the procedure according to the nature of the issuer and the publication: a license with the Prime Minister's approval, or the Ministry's approval, or mere notification. Under Article 1, a newspaper is any printed material with a fixed title issued periodically or on occasions, such as newspapers, magazines and bulletins.
After it comes Article 26, which requires the license holder's name, the editor-in-chief's name, the issue number, the place and date of issue, the price and the name of the printing press to be placed in a prominent place in the newspaper. Before it comes Article 24, under which local newspapers are not subject to control except in exceptional circumstances approved by the Prime Minister. Anyone planning to issue a periodical publication can consult a lawyer who specializes in media and publishing law.
Practical example
A private professional association in Riyadh wants to issue a specialized scientific magazine for its members. The Ministry's approval is enough for that, and the magazine's supervisor and the association's head are responsible for what is published in it.
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 25 of the Saudi Publications Law
How can an individual issue a newspaper in Saudi Arabia?
Under a license from the Ministry after the Prime Minister's approval, outside the scope of private press institutions.
Does a specialized scientific magazine need the Prime Minister's approval?
No. The Ministry's approval is enough for specialized scientific and professional magazines issued by private bodies or individuals.
Who is responsible for what is published in bulletins and magazines?
The supervisor of the publication and the head of the body that issues it are responsible for what is published in it.
More articles on Issuing Newspapers
- Article 23
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.
يجوز بعد موافقة رئيس مجلس الوزراء أن تطبع صحف أجنبية في المملكة وفقًا لما تحدده اللائحة التنفيذية، وبما يتفق مع أحكام هذا النظام.
- Article 24
The article provides that local newspapers are not subject to control except in exceptional circumstances approved by the Prime Minister.
لا تخضع الصحف المحلية للرقابة، إلا في الظروف الاستثنائية التي يقرها رئيس مجلس الوزراء.
- Article 26
The article requires the license holder's name, the editor-in-chief's name, the issue number, place and date of issue, the price and the printing press's name to be placed in a prominent place in the newspaper.
يوضع في مكان بارز من الصحيفة اسم صاحب الترخيص واسم رئيس التحرير، ورقم العدد، ومكان الصدو،ر وتاريخه، والسعر، واسم المطبعة.
- Article 27
The article prevents using the name of a newspaper that has ceased publication until ten years after it stopped, unless the interested parties waive, and prevents adopting a name confusing with another newspaper's name.
1- لا يجوز استعمال اسم صحيفة سبق صدورها ثم احتجبت، إلا بعد انقضاء عشرة أعوام على احتجابها، ما لم يتنازل أصحاب الشأن عن الاسم قبل انقضاء هذه المدة. 2- لا يجوز ات
- Article 28
The article refers to the Implementing Regulations the rules on the annual subscription fee for newspapers, the price of a single copy and advertising matters.
تحدد اللائحة التنفيذية القواعد المنظمة لبدل الاشتراك السنوي في الصحف وقيمة النسخة الواحدة، وشؤون الإعلانات.
- Article 29
The article allows the Ministry to withdraw a newspaper's license or cancel approval of its issue if it is not issued within two years of notification of the license, or if it stops for more than a continuous year.
للوزارة سحب الترخيص أو إلغاء الموافقة على إصدار الصحيفة في إحدى الحالتين الآتيتين: 1 - إذا لم يتم الإصدار خلال مدة أقصاها سنتان من الإبلاغ بالترخيص. 2 - إذا توق
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.