The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has introduced new media regulations for content creators, a move designed to enhance accountability and foster a responsible digital media landscape. Announced by Minister of Media Salman Al Dossary, the guidelines are being implemented by the General Authority for Media Regulation (GAMR) to support the growth of a globally competitive and value-driven creator economy.
Defining Clear Standards for a Responsible Ecosystem
The new framework provides clear parameters for what constitutes a media violation, aiming to eliminate ambiguity for creators. To support the rollout, GAMR is conducting educational workshops to help the community understand and adhere to the new standards. Minister Al Dossary emphasized that Saudi Arabia’s strong moral values serve as the “first and most effective line of defense” against inappropriate material, noting that negative content represents less than one percent of the total media output in the Kingdom.
A Proactive Stance on Child Protection
A key priority of the new regulations is the protection of children online. The guidelines are backed by proactive enforcement, as demonstrated by GAMR’s recent collaboration with the gaming platform Roblox. This partnership led to the removal of voice and text chat features and the blocking of over 300,000 inappropriate games to address serious breaches. The Minister stressed the vital role of families in supervising children’s online activities and utilizing parental controls.
Part of a Broader Media Transformation
These guidelines are a component of Saudi Arabia’s comprehensive strategy to transform its media sector. This national effort is already gaining international acclaim, with Saudi organizations recently winning nine awards at the Sharjah Government Communication Awards. The Kingdom is also investing in talent development through initiatives like the Media Fellowship Program, which has attracted applications from over 14 companies and will offer more than 200 training opportunities in high-growth fields like digital media, gaming, film, and data analytics.
About The General Authority for Media Regulation
The General Authority for Media Regulation (GAMR) is the government body responsible for the regulation, development, and supervision of the audio-visual media sector within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Its mandate is to create a supportive environment for media investment and ensure that content aligns with the Kingdom’s social values and media policies.
Source: MEA TechWatch
