Article 44 of the Saudi Publications Law
المادة 44 من نظام المطبوعات والنشر
The article allows associations to be established by decision of the Minister for the activities in Article 2, to address their problems and coordinate their tasks, with each association setting regulations approved by the Minister.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجوز بقرار من الوزير إنشاء جمعيات لنشاطات مما هو منصوص عليه في المادة الثانية، لمعالجة مشكلاتها، وتنسيق مهماتها، وعلى كل جمعية أن تضع لائحة يعتمدها الوزير، توضح أهدافها، وتنظم عملها.
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 44 explained in plain English
This article opens the door to establishing associations for the activities governed by the Law, and includes:
- The manner of establishment: by decision of the Minister (the Minister of Media under Article 1).
- Their scope: the activities set out in Article 2, such as printed materials, printing presses, libraries, drawing and calligraphy, photography, 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 that the Ministry proposes to add and the Prime Minister approves.
- The purpose: addressing the problems of these activities and coordinating their tasks.
- The obligation: each association must set regulations approved by the Minister, stating its aims and governing its work.
The article says "may", so establishing associations is possible, not required, and is done by decision of the Minister. The article does not specify conditions of membership or funding; these are matters contained in the regulations of each association, which the Minister approves.
This article comes after Article 43, which requires the Ministry to set the rules governing book fairs held by private publishing and distribution houses and to supervise them, and before Article 45, which makes the Ministry the body responsible for following up the implementation of the Law and holding violators accountable. Anyone who wants to take part in establishing such an association can consult a lawyer who specializes in media and publishing law.
Practical example
A group of photography studio owners in Jeddah face common problems in the market. An association for the photography activity may be established by decision of the Minister of Media to address these problems and coordinate tasks, with the association setting regulations approved by the Minister.
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 44 of the Saudi Publications Law
Can an association be established for publishers or photographers?
Yes. Associations for the activities set out in Article 2 may be established by decision of the Minister.
Who approves an association's regulations?
The Minister. The regulations state the association's aims and govern its work.
Articles this article refers to
More articles on Book Fairs, Associations and Regulations
- Article 43
The article requires the Ministry, in coordination with the relevant bodies, to set the rules governing book fairs held by private publishing and distribution houses, and to supervise them.
تضع الوزارة بالتنسيق مع الجهات ذات العلاقة، القواعد المنظمة لإقامة معارض الكتب من قبل دور النشر والتوزيع الأهلية وتشرف عليها.
- Article 45
The article makes the Ministry the body responsible for following up the implementation of the Law of Printed Materials and Publication and holding violators accountable according to its provisions.
الوزارة هي الجهة المنوط بها متابعة تنفيذ هذا النظام، ومساءلة من يخالفه وفقًا لأحكامه.
- Article 46
The article requires the Minister to issue the Implementing Regulations of the Law within a maximum of eighteen months of its publication, and to publish them in the official gazette.
يصدر الوزير اللائحة التنفيذية لهذا النظام، في مدة أقصاها ثمانية عشر شهرًا من تاريخ نشره، وتنشر في الجريدة الرسمية.
- Article 48
The article provides that the Law replaces the Law of Printed Materials and Publication issued by Royal Decree No. M/17 dated 13/4/1402 AH, and repeals any provisions that conflict with it.
يحل هذا النظام محل نظام المطبوعات والنشر الصادر بالمرسوم الملكي ذي الرقم (م/17) والتاريخ 13/ 4/ 1402هـ، ويلغي ما يتعارض معه من أحكام.
- Article 49
The article provides that the Law of Printed Materials and Publication is published in the official gazette and takes effect ninety days after its publication.
ينشر هذا النظام في الجريدة الرسمية، ويعمل به بعد تسعين يومًا من تاريخ نشره.
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.