Article 35 of the Saudi Publications Law
المادة 35 من نظام المطبوعات والنشر
The article requires a newspaper to correct an incorrect statement or false news free of charge in the first issue after the interested party's request, and gives the injured person the right to claim compensation.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
على كل صحيفة نسبت إلى الغير تصريحًا غير صحيح، أو نشرت خبرًا خاطئًا، أن تصحح ذلك بنشره مجانًا، بناء على طلب صاحب الشأن، في أول عدد يصدر بعد طلب التصحيح، ويكون ذلك في المكان الذي سبق أن نشر الخبر أو التصريح فيه، أو في مكان بارز منها، ولمن أصابه ضرر حق المطالبة بالتعويض.
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 35 explained in plain English
This article gives a person about whom false news was published, or to whom an incorrect statement was attributed, the right to a correction and the right to claim compensation.
When the obligation arises: if the newspaper attributes to another an incorrect statement, or publishes false news.
Conditions and manner of correction:
- It is made at the request of the interested party.
- It is published free of charge, so the newspaper may not demand payment.
- In the first issue after the request for correction.
- In the place where the news or statement was previously published, or in a prominent place in the newspaper.
Compensation: a person who suffered harm has the right to claim compensation. The correction does not remove this right, but claiming it is tied to harm having occurred. The article does not specify the amount of compensation or the body before which it is claimed.
This article comes after Article 34, which makes Umm Al-Qura newspaper the official newspaper of the state, and before Article 36, which allows the Ministry, when necessary, to withdraw any printed material without compensation if it contains any of the matters prohibited from publication under Article 9.
In practice, if a newspaper publishes false news about you, ask it for a correction, and it must publish it free of charge in the first issue after your request. If you suffered harm and want to claim compensation, it is best to consult a lawyer who specializes in media and publishing law and in civil claims.
Practical example
An online newspaper published false news that a restaurant in Dammam was closed for health violations. The restaurant owner asked for a correction, so the newspaper must publish it free of charge in the first issue after his request, in the same place or a prominent place, and he may claim compensation if he suffered harm.
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 35 of the Saudi Publications Law
What can I do if a newspaper publishes false news about me?
Ask for a correction. The newspaper must publish it free of charge in the first issue after the request, in the place where the news was published or in a prominent place.
Am I entitled to compensation for false news published about me?
Yes. A person who suffered harm has the right to claim compensation.
Does the newspaper charge for publishing the correction?
No. The correction is published free of charge.
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.