New Saudi Authority for the Regulation of Audio and Visual Media
Type
E-journal
Date
2 May 2016
Jurisdiction
Saudi Arabia
Taxonomy
General Media & Communications
Copyright
LexisNexis
Relevant company
Al Tamimi & Company
Analysis
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has restructured its state media, and in doing so has established a new authority to regulate audiovisual broadcasters. The new authority, known as the General Authority for Audio and Visual Media (the “Authority”), is charged with regulating and developing the audio-visual media transmission and content.
Background to the new Authority
The first radio broadcast in the Kingdom is reported to have occurred around 1931. In 1955 the first television broadcast occurred in the Kingdom, when US programs were broadcast for the personnel of the USAF Dhahran Airfield. This was followed in 1965 with the first state approved national television broadcast. The first program broadcast was a recital of the Quran.
Today in the Kingdom the state-run Broadcasting Service of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia operates almost all domestic television broadcasting, namely the four state television channels and the Kingdom's state radio channels.