Article 34 of the Saudi Publications Law
المادة 34 من نظام المطبوعات والنشر
The article provides that Umm Al-Qura newspaper is the official newspaper of the state.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
جريدة أم القرى هي الصحيفة الرسمية للدولة.
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 34 explained in plain English
This brief article identifies the official newspaper of the state, which is Umm Al-Qura newspaper.
The importance of this provision is that many laws tie their coming into force, or certain procedures, to publication in the "Official Gazette". This article settles that the official gazette meant is Umm Al-Qura. The article does not deal with what must be published in it or the effects of that publication.
Under Article 1, a newspaper is any printed material with a fixed title issued periodically or on occasions, at regular or irregular intervals, such as newspapers, magazines and bulletins.
This article comes after Article 33, which makes the newspaper's editor-in-chief, or whoever acts in his place in his absence, responsible for what is published in it, and the writer responsible for what the text contains without prejudice to the editor-in-chief's responsibility. After it comes Article 35, which requires every newspaper that attributes to another an incorrect statement or publishes false news to correct it free of charge at the request of the interested party, in the first issue after the request for correction, in the place where it was published or in a prominent place, with the injured person's right to claim compensation.
In practice, when a law says it comes into force a period after its publication in the official gazette, what is meant is publication in Umm Al-Qura. Anyone who needs to verify the publication date of a particular law can refer to its issues 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 34 of the Saudi Publications Law
What is the official newspaper of the state in Saudi Arabia?
Umm Al-Qura newspaper.
What is meant by the official gazette in Saudi laws?
Under this article, Umm Al-Qura newspaper is the official newspaper of the state.
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.