Article 6 of the Saudi Publications Law
المادة 6 من نظام المطبوعات والنشر
The article allows government bodies, educational and research institutions, scientific societies, literary clubs and private press institutions to issue non-periodical publications within their field and under their responsibility.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
للجهات الحكومية، والمؤسسات التعليمية والبحثية، والجمعيات العلمية، والأندية الأدبية والثقافية، والمؤسسات الصحفية الأهلية إصدار مطبوعات غير دورية في مجال اختصاصها وتحت مسئوليتها.
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 6 explained in plain English
This article gives specific bodies the power to issue non-periodical publications. These bodies are:
- Government bodies.
- Educational and research institutions.
- Scientific societies.
- Literary and cultural clubs.
- Private press institutions.
The article limits this power with two conditions:
- The publication must be within the field of competence of the body.
- It must be under its responsibility, meaning the body bears responsibility for what it publishes.
A "non-periodical" publication means one that is not issued under a fixed title at successive intervals, to distinguish it from a newspaper, which Article 1 defines as a printed material with a fixed title issued periodically or on occasions, such as newspapers, magazines and bulletins. A printed material, under Article 1, is any means of expression printed for circulation.
The article does not deal with issuing newspapers or periodical publications, and it does not mention any particular procedures for this issuing. Other provisions of the Law connected to this rule are to be found where they appear. Anyone who needs to know the position of their body under this article can consult a lawyer who specializes in media and publishing law.
Practical example
A university in Riyadh wants to publish a book collecting the research papers of a scientific conference it held. It may do so under this article because it is a non-periodical publication within its field of competence, and the university is responsible for this publication.
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 6 of the Saudi Publications Law
Can literary clubs publish books?
Yes. Literary and cultural clubs may issue non-periodical publications within their field of competence and under their responsibility.
Which bodies does Article 6 cover?
Government bodies, educational and research institutions, scientific societies, literary and cultural clubs, and private press institutions.
More articles on Approving Domestic Printed Materials
- Article 10
The article requires the necessary details to be recorded on every printed material printed inside the Kingdom, as set by the Implementing Regulations.
يجب أن تدون على كل مطبوعة تطبع داخل المملكة البيانات الورقية الضرورية بحسب ما تقرره اللائحة التنفيذية.
- Article 13
The article requires two copies of a printed material to be submitted to the Ministry for approval before printing or circulation, and requires the Ministry to decide, with reasons, within 30 days, with a right to file a grievance.
على كل مؤلف أو ناشر أو طابع أو موزع يرغب في طباعة أي مطبوعة أو توزيعها أن يقدم نسختين منها إلى الوزارة لإجازتها قبل طبعها أو عرضها للتداول، وعلى الوزارة إجازة ا
- Article 14
The article requires a printing press to keep a register of the printed materials printed there, to be shown to the competent officials on request, and lets the Ministry exempt some printed materials in the Regulations.
على كل مطبوعة أن تحتفظ بسجل للمطبوعات التي تطبع فيها يبرز للمختصين عند الطلب، وللوزارة في اللائحة التنفيذية أن تستثني من شرط التسجيل ما تراه من مطبوعات.
- Article 15
The article makes the author, publisher and printer responsible for violations in a printed material printed or circulated without approval, then the distributor if they cannot be identified, then the seller.
المؤلف و الناشر و الطابع مسئولون عما يرد في المطبوعة من مخالفات إذا طبعت أو وضعت للتداول دون إجازتها، فإذا تعذرت معرفة أي منهم أصبح الموزع هو المسئول، وإلا فتقع
- Article 16
The article provides that the Ministry requires the author or publisher to submit the copies required for deposit of what is printed inside the Kingdom, according to the Deposit Law.
تكلف الوزارة المؤلف أو الناشر أن يقدم وفق نظام الإيداع، النسخ المطلوبة منه للإيداع، مما يطبع داخل المملكة.
- Article 42
The article requires the Ministry to assign qualified people with competence, specialization and familiarity with the laws to approve scientific and intellectual works, and allows it to use non-full-time people from outside.
على الوزارة أن تكلف لإجازة الأعمال العلمية والفكرية، من تتوافر فيهم الأهلية لذلك من ذوي الكفاية والتخصص، والإلمام بالأنظمة، وتعليمات النشر، ولها أن تستعين في ذل
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.