Saudi print media pushing for stricter online rules

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ONLINE CLAMPDOWN: Saudi print journalists pushing for more online regulation. (Getty Images)

Print journalists in Saudi are calling on the government to push ahead with a clampdown on online newspapers after a web report allegedly defamed a group of female reporters.

According to official sources the Ministry of Information is working with other government bodies to draw up some specific regulations for online media.

The new regulations will include several controls such as a requirement for all electronic newspapers and websites to obtain official permits from the ministry, according to a report in UAE daily Gulf News.

Under the plans owners of online newspapers and chief editors will also have to put their names on the home pages, the sources said.

Traditional print media are backing the move, but are calling for more urgent action to bring the online press inline with current laws on print publishing and professional ethics.
 
The situation came to a head last month when an online article entitled "Saudi women in red evenings" accused some female journalists in Riyadh of misusing their relationships with local media chiefs.

A total of 13 Saudi print newspapers have filed a defamation and libel lawsuit against the publishing website.

Turki Al Sudairy, editor-in-chief of Al Riyadh newspaper, and a member of the board of directors of the Saudi Journalists Association, expressed his support for those who were accused in the report at a meeting in Riyadh on Tuesday.

In a press release issued after the meeting, the board said it was committed to "protecting the professional staff of the Saudi press," adding that it held the website responsible for any defamation under libel laws.

The board would support the prosecution of the website owners and would take legal action against those involved, the statement added.

In previous comments the Minister of Culture and Information Dr Abdul Aziz Khoja confirmed Saudi was planning to enact laws, regulations and legislation to streamline print press and electronic media.

But no timetable has been given for implementation.

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