Article 4 of the Saudi Publications Law
المادة 4 من نظام المطبوعات والنشر
The article requires a license from the Ministry to carry out any activity in Article 2, without exempting anyone from other licenses, and refers its term and renewal to the Implementing Regulations.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- لا يجوز مزاولة أي نشاط مما ذكر في المادة الثانية، إلا بترخيص من الوزارة، ولا يعفي هذا من الحصول على أي ترخيص توجبه الأنظمة الأخرى.
2- تحدد اللائحة التنفيذية مدة الترخيص لكل نشاط، كما تحدد المهلة المناسبة لتجديد الترخيص قبل انتهائه بعد التأكد من مزاولة المهنة.
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 4 explained in plain English
This article sets a basic rule: no activity listed in Article 2 may be carried out except with a license from the Ministry, and the Ministry here is the Ministry of Media, according to Article 1.
The activities meant are those listed in Article 2, such as printed materials, pre-press preparation services, printing presses, libraries, drawing and calligraphy, photography, importing, selling or renting films and video tapes, sound recordings, artistic production, studios, advertising and public relations, publishing and distribution, press services, computer software, media studies and consultancy, and copying and reproduction, and any activity added in the way Article 2 provides.
The article contains two important provisions:
- The Ministry's license does not replace others: this license does not exempt anyone from obtaining any other license required by other laws, so you may need more than one license from different authorities.
- The term and renewal are in the Regulations: the Implementing Regulations set the license term for each activity, and also set the suitable period for renewing it before it expires, with renewal made after verifying that the profession is being practiced.
The article does not state the license term or the renewal period; these are matters to be found in the Implementing Regulations. Article 5 then sets out the conditions for those who are granted a license. Anyone who wants to start one of these activities can consult a lawyer who specializes in media and publishing law.
Practical example
A company in Jeddah wants to open a commercial printing press. Printing presses are among the activities in Article 2, so it may not carry on the activity until it obtains a license from the Ministry of Media, and this does not exempt it from any other license required by other laws.
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 4 of the Saudi Publications Law
Is a license from the Ministry of Media required to open a library?
Yes. Libraries are among the activities in Article 2, and none of them may be carried out except with a license from the Ministry.
Does the Ministry of Media license replace other licenses?
No. The article states that it does not exempt anyone from obtaining any license required by other laws.
What is the term of a license for printed materials activities?
The Implementing Regulations set it for each activity, and also set the suitable period for renewing it before it expires.
Articles this article refers to
More articles on Licensing Publication Activities
- Article 7
The article sets the license or renewal fee for the head office or a branch: SAR 2,000 for activities such as printing presses, publishing and advertising, and SAR 1,000 for activities such as libraries and photography.
يحدد مقدار رسم الترخيص أو تجديده، للمقر الرئيسي أو الفرع وفق الآتي : 1 - ألفا ريال (2.000) لكل من النشاطات الآتية: أ - المطابع. ب - خدمات الإعداد لما قبل الطباع
- Article 11
The article allows a license to be assigned to others, leased or shared with others, on condition of the Ministry's approval and consistency with the Law.
يجوز التنازل عن الترخيص للغير، أو تأجيره، أو إشراك آخرين فيه بعد موافقة الوزارة وبما يتفق مع أحكام هذا النظام.
- Article 12
The article requires heirs to notify the Ministry of the license holder's death within two months, and gives them the right to continue the activity after the Ministry's approval and in line with the Law.
إذا توفي صاحب الترخيص، فإن على الورثة إشعار الوزارة بذلك خلال شهرين من تاريخ الوفاة، ولهم الحق في استمرار النشاط بعد موافقة الوزارة، وبما يتفق مع أحكام هذا النظ
- Article 47
The article requires everyone carrying on an activity governed by the Law to regularize their situation in accordance with its provisions within two years of its coming into force.
على من يمارس أي نشاط من النشاطات التي يحكمها هذا النظام أن يقوم بتصحيح أوضاعه طبقًا للأحكام الواردة فيه، وذلك خلال سنتين من تاريخ نفاذه.
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.