In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
No. 7/3/16/1007
With the help of God Almighty,
We, Saud the First bin Abdulaziz,
King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,
After reviewing Royal Decree No. 7‑3‑16‑3996 dated 23‑9‑1368 AH,
And based on what has been submitted to us by the Prime Minister,
We hereby decree the following:
1. Establishment and Status
- The Saudi Broadcasting Service shall be an independent authority known as the General Directorate of Broadcasting.
- The Directorate shall report directly to the Prime Minister.
- The Prime Minister shall appoint one of the ministers to supervise broadcasting affairs.
2. Mission of the Saudi Broadcasting Authority
The mission of the Saudi Broadcasting Authority shall include:
a. Religious and Cultural Broadcasting
- Broadcasting the teachings of Islam domestically and internationally.
- Promoting Islamic culture in accessible forms for the public, elevating general awareness, expanding the knowledge of the educated, and meeting specialized needs.
- Promoting Islamic teachings abroad through broadcasts in various languages suited to each target nation.
b. Educational and Social Development
- Supporting efforts to eradicate illiteracy by spreading cultural awareness.
- Strengthening moral values and encouraging virtuous conduct while discouraging harmful customs.
- Elevating social taste and refinement.
- Simplifying Classical Arabic and promoting its understanding and use among the general population.
- Raising the cultural and social level of all segments of society through dedicated programming.
c. Cultural and National Objectives
- Reviving Arabic literature and Arab heritage.
- Encouraging economic and developmental activities in the country.
- Presenting accurate information about the Kingdom’s social, cultural, developmental, and economic conditions to reassure citizens and provide a truthful image abroad.
- Informing the nation about global scientific and current events.
- Strengthening ties among Arab countries and supporting Arab unity.
- Promoting Islamic unity and cooperation among Muslim nations.
- Preserving friendly relations between Saudi Arabia, Arab and Islamic countries, and the world at large.
3. Official Language
- The official language of Saudi Broadcasting is Arabic.
- The Directorate may establish broadcasts in other languages as needed to fulfill the purposes outlined in Article 4.
4. Means to Achieve Broadcasting Objectives
To fulfill its mission, the Saudi Broadcasting Authority may employ all necessary means, including:
- Establishing major central broadcasting stations.
- Establishing stations throughout the Kingdom.
- Publishing a broadcasting magazine.
- Publishing collections of radio talks.
- Printing informational materials.
- Establishing a scientific library, reading clubs, and lecture programs.
- Exchanging broadcasts with other radio services worldwide.
5. Cooperation of Government and Private Entities
All government and private entities shall facilitate the work of the Broadcasting Authority and provide necessary cooperation upon request—either through the supervising minister or directly—according to the nature of the matter and each entity’s jurisdiction.
6. Prohibited Content
Saudi Broadcasting is prohibited from airing any material that results in:
- a. Contradiction of the Qur’an or the Sunnah.
- b. Creating division among citizens, harming their interests, or damaging the reputation of the country.
- c. Harming Arab interests or Arab unity.
- d. Creating division within the Islamic world or weakening ties among Muslim peoples.
- e. Aligning with or opposing any international bloc in a manner harmful to national interests.
- f. Addressing personal matters through promotion or defamation.
7. Administration
The Broadcasting Authority shall be headed by a Director General, who is responsible for all broadcast content and all publications issued by the Authority.
The Director General shall have full authority to:
- Prepare the broadcasting budget and form the administrative structure, subject to approval by the supervising authority.
- Establish internal regulations for the Authority and its departments.
- Approve or reject all materials submitted for broadcast.
- Modify materials received from government or private entities to align with the objectives of Article 4, except for official government announcements, regarding which he may only provide recommendations to his superior.
8. Coordination with the Supervising Minister
The Director General must consult the supervising minister in important matters related to:
- Approving or rejecting broadcast materials (Articles 9‑c and 9‑d).
- Budget preparation and administrative structuring (Article 9‑a).
9. Supporting Leadership Structure
The Director General shall be assisted by:
- A Deputy Director General with the rank of Director General of a Ministry.
- Two General Supervisors (rank: Director General, Grade A):
- One for Program Affairs
- One for Engineering Affairs
10. Foundational Nature of the Decree
This decree shall be considered a foundational charter for the Broadcasting Authority, clarifying the objectives of Royal Decree No. 7/3/16/3996 dated 23/9/1368 AH, and cancelling all previous orders related to broadcasting.
May God grant success.