The executive regulation for the Publications and Publishing Law has linked granting licenses to media outlets in the Kingdom to what they transmit, including SMS messages. Sources told Okaz/Saudi Gazette that if media companies are involved in transmitting insulting messages those actions may prevent them from obtaining a license. This development has come about after the provision of video services was brought under the Publications and Publishing Regulation by adding eight articles to its executive regulation. The addition of the articles which include controls on what media outlets are able to transmit was approved by Dr. Abdul Aziz Bin Mohieddin Khoja, Minister of Culture and Information. Most prominent among the controls are that media companies are not allowed to transmit live or recorded content or data via SMS messages that lead to violating people's dignity or freedoms, blackmailing them or harming their personal or commercial names. Companies are banned from transmitting material that encourages, promotes or leads to violence; terrorizes others or relates to magic or sorcery. Also, the media should not promote tobacco, alcohol or drugs and they should boost relationships with Arab, Muslim and friendly countries. The executive regulation stresses the necessity to highlight the reality, magnanimity and tolerance of Islam, and its balanced nature; boost lofty Islamic ideals; respect other religions without promoting them; protect and bolster the high quality of the information; safeguard the general principles of good taste and tact; protect national, economic and health security, public interests and the Kingdom's national symbols; strengthen the unique and distinctive identity of the Kingdom and its values and cultural heritage; and protect the public order and boost national and social harmony. Video services are considered to be those that provide information such as films and programs via satellites, information networks, etc., that are distributed to establishments and individuals through a special receiver. Conditions for licensing The regulation comprises eight articles, the first and second of which specify the conditions for granting licenses. They include requirements that the party applying for a license should be a Saudi establishment or company that possesses an information license; the office providing the service should be in the Kingdom or it should have an office in the Kingdom; the manager or person in charge should be a Saudi citizen; and he should have a specific address. Also, the party requesting a license should sign an undertaking that it will comply with the regulations and directives, particularly the information policy in the Kingdom, issued as per the Council of Ministers decision No. 169 dated Aug. 10, 1982. The licensed party must also obtain approval from the concerned administration in the Ministry for specifications of the receivers and transmitters before importing them. Articles 3 and 4 stipulate that the ministry must be provided with the number of subscribers and an updated list of them every six months, whether they are establishments, hotels, housing complexes or individuals. The licensed party must also communicate with the concerned administration in the ministry and answer its inquiries, provide any requested information and comply with directives issued to it. Compliance with intellectual property rights Articles 5 and 6 focus on intellectual property rights and the licensing certificate. The party that is licensed should comply with the intellectual property rights for material to be transmitted, according to the regulations and agreements in force. The concerned administration in the ministry will study applications for licenses after confirming that applicants fulfill all required conditions. __
