Article 31 of the Saudi Publications Law
المادة 31 من نظام المطبوعات والنشر
The article provides that a newspaper may not be prevented from being issued except in exceptional circumstances and after the Prime Minister's approval.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا تمنع الصحيفة عن الصدور إلا في الظروف الاستثنائية، وبعد موافقة رئيس مجلس الوزراء.
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 31 explained in plain English
This article protects the continued publication of newspapers, and sets a rule: a newspaper may not be prevented from being issued unless two conditions are both met:
- There must be exceptional circumstances.
- The prevention must be after the Prime Minister's approval.
Under the text of the article, neither condition is enough without the other. The article does not define exceptional circumstances.
Under Article 1, a newspaper is any printed material with a fixed title issued periodically or on occasions, such as newspapers, magazines and bulletins.
This article comes after Article 30, which prohibits newspapers and their staff from accepting any benefit, such as gifts or subsidies, from internal or external bodies except after the Ministry's approval.
After it comes Article 32, which allows editorial advertisements of institutions and individuals to be published provided it is indicated that they are advertising material, and of states after the Ministry's approval, with the indication that they are advertising material.
Anyone facing a decision to suspend their newspaper 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 31 of the Saudi Publications Law
Can a newspaper be prevented from being issued in Saudi Arabia?
Not except in exceptional circumstances and after the Prime Minister's approval.
Who approves preventing a newspaper from being issued?
The Prime Minister, in exceptional circumstances.
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 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.
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.