Article 26 of the Saudi Publications Law
المادة 26 من نظام المطبوعات والنشر
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يوضع في مكان بارز من الصحيفة اسم صاحب الترخيص واسم رئيس التحرير، ورقم العدد، ومكان الصدو،ر وتاريخه، والسعر، واسم المطبعة.
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 26 explained in plain English
This article sets the mandatory details that must appear in every newspaper, placed in a prominent place in it, which are:
- The name of the license holder.
- The name of the editor-in-chief.
- The issue number.
- The place of issue.
- The date of issue.
- The price.
- The name of the printing press.
Under Article 1, a newspaper is any printed material with a fixed title issued periodically or on occasions, such as newspapers, magazines and bulletins. A printing press is any establishment equipped to print words, sounds, drawings or pictures for the purpose of circulating them.
The apparent purpose of these details is that the reader and the competent authorities know who stands behind the newspaper and who edits it, when and where each issue came out, and where it was printed. The article does not specify a particular form or exact position; it only requires that it be prominent.
This article comes after Article 25, which regulates the issuing of newspapers by private bodies and individuals under a license from the Ministry after the Prime Minister's approval, and of specialized bulletins and magazines, and makes the supervisor and the head of the body responsible for what is published. After it comes Article 27, which prevents using the name of a newspaper that has ceased publication until ten years have passed unless the interested parties waive, and prevents adopting a name that is confusing with another. Anyone who needs to review their newspaper's obligations 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 26 of the Saudi Publications Law
What details must appear in a newspaper?
The name of the license holder, the name of the editor-in-chief, the issue number, the place and date of issue, the price, and the name of the printing press.
Where are these details placed?
In a prominent place in the newspaper.
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 25
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.
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 ال
- 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.