New Draft Information Law Aims to Regulate Media Industry in Kuwait

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

KUWAIT CITY – Abdul Rahman Al Mutairi, the Minister of Information, Endowment, and Islamic Affairs, has provided insight into the comprehensive process behind the media regulation draft law. The minister assures that the penalties imposed will be personal and that the editors-in-chief of publications will not be affected. He emphasizes that this draft law is not intended to lead to the closure or suspension of publication licenses.

During the discussion session on the Media Control Act, the Minister elaborated on the responsibility shared by all parties involved. He highlighted the belief of Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah that the media belongs to the people. With that in mind, a new draft information law has been crafted to regulate Kuwait’s media industry.

The Minister welcomes input from media experts, editors-in-chief, and individuals involved in various media sectors to enhance the draft law before finalization. Mutairi emphasizes that the regulation of punishments related to prohibited acts is one of the draft law’s most crucial aspects. He reveals that the punishment for crimes related to the abuse of power could result in imprisonment for up to one year, accompanied by a fine not exceeding 19,000 dinars.

Similarly, the draft law proposes imprisonment for up to one year and a fine ranging from 5,000 to 20,000 dinars for offenses against the Amir. Crimes with intentions to overthrow the government will also be met with corresponding punishments. Authors engaging in such activities will face fines. It is important to note that these penalties are personal.

Furthermore, individuals involved in immoral acts or those who defame others may face a reduced fine of no less than 3,000 dinars. Similar fines will be imposed on those who breach Kuwait’s relations with friendly countries or publish confidential information prohibited by law. Once again, it is essential to emphasize that these fines are personal.

Please refer to deshabhimani.com for more information.

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Tuesday September 26, 2023

KUWAIT CITY> Abdul Rahman Al Mutairi, Minister of Information, Endowment and Islamic Affairs, explains the comprehensive process behind the media regulation draft law. ‘Penalties are personal in most cases. Editors-in-chief of publications are not affected. “It will not lead to the closure of publications or the suspension of their licences,” said the minister. The Minister’s explanation during the discussion session on the Media Control Act is everyone’s responsibility. He said the discussion reflected Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah’s belief that the media belongs to the people. A new draft information law aimed at regulating the country’s media industry, he said, welcomes all comments from media experts, editors-in-chief and individuals involved in different media sectors to improve the draft before finalisation. Mutairi said the most important provisions of the draft law are the regulation of punishments related to prohibited acts, adding that the punishment related to crimes related to abuse of power is imprisonment of up to one year and a fine of not more than 19,000 dinars. The second part is for harming the Amir and the punishment in the proposed law is imprisonment of up to one year and a fine of 5,000 to 20,000 dinars. The same goes for crimes that call for the overthrow of the government. Authors will be fined. The punishment for criminals who engage in immoral acts or call to defame people has been reduced to a fine of no less than 3,000 dinars, and from individual criminals. Those who break Kuwait’s relations with friendly countries or publish confidential information prohibited by law will also be fined no less than 3000 dinars. The minister said that these fines are also personal. Read on deshabhimani.com

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