Article 32 of the Saudi Publications Law

This article regulates editorial advertisements, which are advertisements published in a form resembling the newspaper's editorial content. It sets two provisions:

1. Advertisements of institutions and individuals: they may be published, provided it is indicated that they are advertising material.
2. Advertisements of states: they may be published on two conditions: the Ministry's approval, and indicating that they are advertising material.

The condition common to both cases is disclosing to the reader that what they are reading is an advertisement and not independent press material. The apparent purpose is to protect the reader from confusing news or opinion with paid content. Advertisements of states also need, in addition, the Ministry's approval, and under Article 1 the Ministry is the Ministry of Media.

The article does not specify the wording or position of the indication, so under the text it is enough that there is an indication that it is advertising material.

This article comes after Article 31, which does not allow a newspaper to be prevented from being issued except in exceptional circumstances and after the Prime Minister's approval. After it comes Article 33, which makes the editor-in-chief, or whoever acts in his place in his absence, responsible for what is published in the newspaper, along with the responsibility of the writer of the text for what it contains. Anyone who works in advertising or editing and needs to check their obligations can consult a lawyer who specializes in media and publishing law.