Article 28 of the Saudi Publications Law
المادة 28 من نظام المطبوعات والنشر
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تحدد اللائحة التنفيذية القواعد المنظمة لبدل الاشتراك السنوي في الصحف وقيمة النسخة الواحدة، وشؤون الإعلانات.
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 28 explained in plain English
This is a referral article. It does not set detailed rules itself, but entrusts the Implementing Regulations with setting the rules on three matters concerning newspapers:
- The annual subscription fee for newspapers.
- The price of a single copy.
- Advertising matters.
Under Article 1, a newspaper is any printed material with a fixed title issued periodically or on occasions, such as newspapers, magazines and bulletins.
It cannot be known from the Law alone how subscription or copy prices are set, or the details of regulating advertisements in newspapers; all of these are matters to be found in the Implementing Regulations.
This article comes after Article 27, which 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's. After it comes Article 29, which allows the Ministry to withdraw a newspaper's license or cancel approval of its issue in two cases: if it is not issued within a maximum of two years of notification of the license, or if publication stops for a continuous period of more than a year.
Anyone who runs a newspaper and needs to know the rules on subscriptions or advertisements can refer to the Implementing Regulations or 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.
How we write and review contentAdministrative Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Administrative Law (Board of Grievances) lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Al-Safwa Law Office and Legal Consultancy
Frequently asked questions about Article 28 of the Saudi Publications Law
Who sets the annual subscription price for newspapers?
The Implementing Regulations set the rules on the annual subscription fee and the price of a single copy.
Where do I find the rules on advertisements in newspapers?
The article refers advertising matters in newspapers to the Implementing Regulations.
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 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 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.