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Saudi Arabia approves increased media controls

November 24, 2018 at 12:23 am

Consulate General of Saudi Arabia [Onur Çoban/Anadolu Agency]

Saudi Information Minister Awwad Bin Saleh Al-Awwad has issued media organisations new directives which ban instigating the overthrow of the regime or calling for change through violence.

The new regulations are being introduced to “protect public order, strengthen national unity, preserve the social fabric, and preserve values ​​and virtues.”

In addition to “not inciting the overthrow of the system of government in the Kingdom, or calling for violence to change the social and economic principles in the country, and preventing the glorification of groups with political, ethnic, ideological or social orientations subversive against the Kingdom, the media should not address what may harm the Kingdom’s relations with friendly countries.”

Women working in media must “ adhere to the decent dress that is in line with Islamic dress codes and prevailing customs and which suits the working environment and respect for viewers”, the regulations continued.

The Saudi regime has come under increased criticism following the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, on 2 October. The CIA says it has evidence which proves that Saudi Crown Prime Mohammed Bin Salman ordered Khashoggi’s murder.

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