Media Activity Owners Ordered to Regularize Status Within Six Months
Kuwait issued a decree on media regulation, requiring activity owners to regularize their status within six months and canceling licenses in case of negligence, while repealing previous laws.
Translated by Qiyas from النهار — Original source
The Official Gazette, “Kuwait Today,” published in its issue No. (1811), a law decree No. 102 of 2026 promulgating the Law Regulating Media. Article Two of the aforementioned law decree assigned the competent Minister the task of issuing the executive regulations for this law within six months from the date of publication of this law decree in the Official Gazette, as well as issuing the necessary decisions to implement its provisions. Article Three obliged the owners of the media activities mentioned in this law and existing at the time of its implementation to regularize their status in accordance with its provisions within six months from the date of issuance of the executive regulations, with failure to do so resulting in the cancellation of the license.
Article Four repealed Law No. (3) of 2006 concerning Publications and Publishing, Law No. (61) of 2007 concerning Audiovisual and Audio Media, and Law No. (8) of 2016 Regulating Electronic Media, as well as any other provision conflicting with the provisions of this law.
Article Five of the aforementioned law decree required the ministers, each within their respective competence, to implement the provisions of this law decree, which shall be published in the Official Gazette and take effect after six months from the date of its publication.
The explanatory memorandum for Law Decree No. 102 of 2026 promulgating the Law Regulating Media stated that this law represents a comprehensive qualitative leap to restructure and modernize the media system in the country.
Addressing Gaps
The explanatory memorandum clarified that this law aims to address legislative gaps resulting from rapid technological developments, while consolidating constitutional principles governing press freedoms and freedom of expression. It emphasized that the media environment has undergone radical transformations due to the digital boom, which has reshaped concepts of broadcasting, publishing, and influence.
The memorandum explained that this law is based on flexible legislative engineering, focusing on establishing fixed general principles and provisions, while delegating new detailed, procedural, and technical matters to its executive regulations to ensure swift and efficient adaptation to technological changes. It further noted that the law dedicates space to affirming general and constitutional principles governing media activities, foremost among them guaranteeing freedom of opinion, expression, press, printing, and publishing.
Media Patterns
The explanatory memorandum defined the scope of regulating media patterns that have emerged over time, such as technical terms related to broadcasting, rebroadcasting, frequency, channel, station, and programs, as well as newly introduced concepts like electronic media, electronic media outlet, its owner, user, electronic domain, and social media platforms.
It affirmed that freedom of opinion is guaranteed and that every person has the right to express and publish their opinion orally, in writing, or otherwise, without infringing upon rights and freedoms, and within the limits prescribed by law to protect public order and morals, respect the rights, dignity, and reputation of others, and safeguard national security and unity.
It further confirmed that freedom of the press, printing, publishing, and media is guaranteed and regulated by the provisions of this law. Consequently, the media activities stipulated therein, as well as books and publications displayed at official book fairs, are not subject to prior censorship. However, the activity of screening cinematic films, books, and other non-periodical publications printed or published within the State of Kuwait is subject to prior approval from the competent Ministry before printing, distribution, and publication.
Technical Services
The explanatory memorandum referred to provisions concerning newspapers and publications, audiovisual and audio media, technical services for broadcasting and rebroadcasting, electronic media, the activities of callers and advertisers on social media platforms, news agencies, correspondents of Arab and foreign newspapers and channels, artistic production companies, cinematic films, cinemas, artistic, musical, and vocal concerts, as well as advertising and promotion.
It also highlighted provisions regarding violations, crimes, and penalties for non-compliance with the law’s provisions, including operating a media activity without a license, punishable by financial fines in addition to administrative sanctions.
