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Saudi Arabia’s king tightens controls over the media
News media have reported that Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah has imposed new media restrictions and threatened hefty fines and closure of news organisations who allegedly would be undermining national security.
In a decree issued yesterday, the media will be prohibited from reporting anything that contradicts the Islamic Sharia law or allegedly serves for foreign interests and undermines national security.
The decree forces publishers to comply with the “objective and constructive criticism that serves the general interest.” It added that violators face fines of up to 500,000 riyals - €90,000.
The decree also threats to close publishers who violate it, and authorities can also ban a writer for life from contributing to any media organisation.
The decree comes as authorities are aiming at quelling any uprisings inspired by the recent revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia.
