Article 48 of the Saudi Publications Law
المادة 48 من نظام المطبوعات والنشر
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يحل هذا النظام محل نظام المطبوعات والنشر الصادر بالمرسوم الملكي ذي الرقم (م/17) والتاريخ 13/ 4/ 1402هـ، ويلغي ما يتعارض معه من أحكام.
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 48 explained in plain English
This article defines the relationship of this Law to what preceded it, and includes two provisions:
- Replacing the previous Law: this Law replaces the Law of Printed Materials and Publication issued by Royal Decree No. M/17 dated 13/4/1402 AH.
- Repealing conflicting provisions: the Law repeals any provisions that conflict with it.
The second provision is broader than the first; the first concerns the previous Law specifically, while the second covers any provisions that conflict with this Law without naming them. The test is conflict, so under the text, whatever does not conflict is not covered by the repeal.
This article comes after Article 47, which requires anyone carrying on any of the activities governed by the Law to regularize their situation in accordance with its provisions within two years of its coming into force; Article 47 deals with the position of those running the activities in the transitional period. After it comes Article 49, which provides for publishing the Law in the official gazette and for it to take effect ninety days after its publication.
In practice, the reference for regulating printed materials and publication is this Law, not the Law of 1402 AH. Anyone who needs to determine which Law applies to a particular event, especially one occurring near the date of coming into force, can 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.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 48 of the Saudi Publications Law
Which Law did the current Law of Printed Materials and Publication replace?
The Law of Printed Materials and Publication issued by Royal Decree No. M/17 dated 13/4/1402 AH.
Does the Law repeal other provisions?
Yes. It repeals any provisions that conflict with it.
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 44
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.
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
- 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 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.