In this Law, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings assigned thereto, unless the context requires otherwise:

• 1. Law: Law of Audiovisual Media.

• 2. Regulations: Implementing Regulations of the Law.

• 3. Ministry: Ministry of Media.

• 4. Minister: Minister of Media.

• 5. Commission: General Commission for Audiovisual Media.

• 6. President: President of the Commission.

• 7. Board: Board of Directors of the Commission.

• 8. Media Content: Audio and/or visual material.

• 9. Broadcasting: Transmitting receivable media content via wired or wireless signals.

• 10. Rebroadcasting: Rebroadcasting media content without changes.

• 11. Audiovisual Media: The process of broadcasting, rebroadcasting, producing for broadcasting, distributing, or selling media content to reach the public, excluding what is deemed private communication.

• 12. Licensee: The holder of a license from the Commission to engage in an audio or visual media activity, in accordance with the provisions of the Law and the Regulations.

• 13. Broadcasting License: Building and operating a broadcasting station pursuant to a contract or an agreement that governs the relationship between the Commission and the licensee.

• 14. Broadcasting Network: The infrastructure of radio or television broadcasting which consists of an integrated system of towers, transmitters, rebroadcasting stations, connectors, antennas, and their accessories.

• 15. Preliminary Committee: The Preliminary Committee formed under the Law of Printed Materials and Publication.

• 16. Appeal Committee: The Appeal Committee formed under the Law of Printed Materials and Publication.

This Law aims at regulating and developing the audiovisual media activity in the Kingdom, fostering an appropriate investment environment therefor, and ensuring that its content is aligned with the Kingdom's Media Policy.

Before engaging in any audiovisual media activity, a license must be obtained in accordance with this Law and as specified in the Regulations.

Individuals working in the field of audiovisual media shall be subject to this Law and the Regulations, and to the professional standards set by the Commission for workers in this field.

Any person who engages in an activity or profession in the field of audiovisual media must abide by the controls of media content, especially the following:

• 1. Complying with the Kingdom's Media Policy.

• 2. Refraining from slandering, insulting, or blasphemy against Allah, the angels, the Holy Qur’an, the prophets, or the wives or companions of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and from any act that undermines the fundamentals of Sharia.

• 3. Refraining from offending the King or the Crown Prince.

• 4. Refraining from any act that would incite strife, division, and hatred among citizens, promote violence, or threaten societal peace.

• 5. Protecting intellectual property rights.

• 6. Respecting individuals as human beings.

• 7. Refraining from any act that would undermine the Kingdom's relations with Arab, Islamic, or friendly countries.

• 8. Refraining from any act that would incite terrorism or threaten national or international peace.

• 9. Refraining from broadcasting or promoting advertising materials relating to medicines, nutritional supplements, or investment materials that are not licensed by the competent agencies.

• 10. Refraining from broadcasting any media content that contains false information not based on facts and reliable information, or that violates the privacy of individuals.

• 11. Respecting freedom of expression and opinion in a manner that does not conflict with relevant laws and controls as well as the provisions of this Law.

• 12. Refraining from undermining public order, national security, and the dictates of public interest.

• 13. Refraining from displaying media content that violates public decency, includes nudity and indecent clothing, arouses sexual desires, or uses profane language.

• 14. All female anchors working in television stations licensed in the Kingdom shall wear modest attire and maintain a modest appearance. The Regulations shall determine the specifications of the attire and the degree of such modesty in accordance with Sharia and prevailing customs relating to women's attire in the Kingdom.

• 15. Refraining from promoting or normalizing the use of drugs, psychotropic substances, alcohol, tobacco, or any products thereof.

• 16. Maintaining a balance between advertising time and media content in a manner that does not negatively affect the quality of the viewing and listening experience.

• 17. Any other control approved by the Board.

The licensee shall, in accordance with the license type, undertake the following:

• 1. Comply with the terms of the license and the type of media content specified for him.

• 2. Adhere to the frequencies designated for broadcasting and reception and to the geographical coverage range specified for him, in accordance with the technical procedures and standards for the use of frequencies.

• 3. Maintain a complete record of all materials broadcast during the last 90 days, and provide the Commission upon request with any of such materials for review within the time period specified in its request.

• 4. Provide the competent agencies with the assistance necessary to carry out their duties.

• 5. Pay the license fee when due.

• 6. Comply with the approved technical specifications for broadcasting and rebroadcasting devices and for receivers.

• 7. Provide the Commission with any statement or information requested thereby relating to broadcasting, rebroadcasting, production, or distribution.

• 8. Adhere to the measures approved by the Commission in emergency cases and disasters.

• 9. Prioritize national human and material resources when available, in accordance with relevant laws and the regulations approved by the Commission in this regard.

• 10. Participate in developing the national industries relating to audiovisual media production, in accordance with the Regulations.

• 11. Comply with the decisions issued by the Commission.

Media broadcasting licenses shall be issued, renewed, amended, suspended, and revoked upon the approval of the Council of Ministers based on a recommendation from the Commission. The Regulations shall specify relevant conditions and controls.

Subject to Article 7 of this Law, the Commission shall have the power to grant, amend, suspend, revoke, or renew the licenses of audiovisual media activities. The Regulations shall specify the types of licenses and the criteria, conditions, and procedures for each type.

It shall be prohibited to sell the license or assign it, in whole or in part or to merge with third parties inside or outside the Kingdom without the approval of the issuing agency, subject to the controls and procedures specified in the Regulations.

The Board shall set the rules for determining the fees for the issuance of licenses and for the services rendered by the Commission under this Law and the Regulations as well as the mechanism for collecting such fees.