Egypt's monthly inflation rises 1.3% in Oct, annual rate eases to 10.1%: CAPMAS    Egypt, Qatar intensify coordination as Gaza crisis worsens    Egypt prepares governmental talks with Germany to boost economic cooperation    Arabia Developments, ElSewedy join forces to launch industrial zone in New 6th of October City    Egypt, US's Merit explore local production of medical supplies, export expansion    Egypt, WHO discuss joint plans to support crisis-affected health sectors    IWG accelerates Egypt expansion, plans 30 new flexible workspace centres in 2026    Grand Egyptian Museum fuels hospitality, real estate expansion in West Cairo    400 children with disabilities take part in 'Their Right to Joy' marathon    Egypt touts North Coast as investment magnet after $29.7b Qatar deal – FinMin    Egypt's Foreign Minister discusses Gaza, Sudan with Russian counterpart    Russia's Putin appoints new deputy defence minister in security shake-up    UNESCO General Conference elects Egypt's El-Enany, first Arab to lead body    Egypt repatriates 36 smuggled ancient artefacts from the US    Grand Egyptian Museum attracts 18k visitors on first public opening day    'Royalty on the Nile': Grand Ball of Monte-Carlo comes to Cairo    Egypt, Albania discuss expanding healthcare cooperation    VS-FILM Festival for Very Short Films Ignites El Sokhna    Egypt's cultural palaces authority launches nationwide arts and culture events    Egypt launches Red Sea Open to boost tourism, international profile    Qatar to activate Egypt investment package with Matrouh deal in days: Cabinet    Hungary, Egypt strengthen ties as Orbán anticipates Sisi's 2026 visit    Egypt's PM pledges support for Lebanon, condemns Israeli strikes in the south    Omar Hisham Talaat: Media partnership with 'On Sports' key to promoting Egyptian golf tourism    Egypt, Medipha sign MoU to expand pharmaceutical compounding, therapeutic nutrition    Egypt establishes high-level committee, insurance fund to address medical errors    Sisi expands national support fund to include diplomats who died on duty    Madinaty Golf Club to host 104th Egyptian Open    Egypt's PM reviews efforts to remove Nile River encroachments    Al-Sisi: Cairo to host Gaza reconstruction conference in November    Egypt will never relinquish historical Nile water rights, PM says    Al-Sisi, Burhan discuss efforts to end Sudan war, address Nile Dam dispute in Cairo talks    Syria releases preliminary results of first post-Assad parliament vote    Egypt resolves dispute between top African sports bodies ahead of 2027 African Games    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Saudi Arabia bans blogging without permit
Manar Ammar Published in Bikya Masr on 18 - 01 - 2011

Saudi Arabia has banned blogging and online news websites without a government license. All bloggers must be Saudi nationals, over 20-years-old with a high school degree and are required to “include the call to the religion of Islam” and to strictly abide by Islamic Sharia law, the Saudi ministry of culture and information (MOCI) announced.
The new decree puts blogs under the rule of the Saudi Press and Publications Law.
MOCI will consider giving blogging and e-news licenses to “those who deserve it,” according to the new regulation.
The decision came into effect on January 1, 2011, and has been met with national and regional criticism.
“Obviously, MOCI wants to extend its control over everything. No surprise here; government bodies in general are well known for their obsession with control,” wrote blogger Ahmed Al Omran on his blog Saudi Jeans.
The decree also bans non Saudi nationals from writing about news, but are allowed to blog about non-news issues.
Chatroom users are also advised to register with the government prior to using the social services.
Among the goals that the new law serves is “protecting society from malpractices in electronic publishing,” the ministry said.
The new law gives the government the right to shut down any website or media outlet that violates any of the articles mentioned in the decree. Violators will also be fined.
News blogs, e-news websites, websites displaying audio and visual materials, electronic advertisements and broadcasting via mobile phones inside the Kingdom, will fall under the electronic newspapers. All license holders will now have to display their license information on their websites to prove legitimacy.
The new regulations require all news websites and blogs to provide detailed information on their web hosting company, which raises fears of forcing the hosting company to shut down the website all together.
Freedom of speech in Saudi Arabia is already facing major issues and bloggers and human rights activists are unhappy about the increase of government monitoring and control.
BM

Clic here to read the story from its source.