"April 2011 carried the text of a royal decree ordering the amendment of Articles 9, 36, 37, 38 and 40 of the publications and publishing law. Amended Articles 9 and 38 respectively focus on the deontology of the press and the penalties incurred should the basic rules of this deontology be disregarded. The amended Article 9 stipulates: "Every official working for a publication should adhere to objective and constructive criticism aimed to ensuring public interest, and based on accurate evidence. None of the following should be published at all:
Anything that violates Islamic Shari'ah and the systems in place. Anything that incites undermining the country's security or public order, or anything that serves foreign interests at the expense of national ones. Attacking, defaming, personally insulting or harming the reputation or the dignity of the Grand Mufti of the Kingdom, the members of the Senior Ulema Council, officials of the state and any people working for it, or any other physical or moral person. Stirring up [trouble] and causing disunion among citizens. Encouraging and inciting criminality. Anything that harms the country's public affairs. [Publishing] the detail of inquiries or trials without the authorization of the competent authority." The amended Article 38 stipulates: "Without prejudice to any more severe punishment stipulated by any other law, anyone who violates the rules of this law will receive one or more of the following punishments:" Source: SPA news agency website, Riyadh, in Arabic 1255 gmt 29 Apr 11
Anything that violates Islamic Shari'ah and the systems in place. Anything that incites undermining the country's security or public order, or anything that serves foreign interests at the expense of national ones. Attacking, defaming, personally insulting or harming the reputation or the dignity of the Grand Mufti of the Kingdom, the members of the Senior Ulema Council, officials of the state and any people working for it, or any other physical or moral person. Stirring up [trouble] and causing disunion among citizens. Encouraging and inciting criminality. Anything that harms the country's public affairs. [Publishing] the detail of inquiries or trials without the authorization of the competent authority." The amended Article 38 stipulates: "Without prejudice to any more severe punishment stipulated by any other law, anyone who violates the rules of this law will receive one or more of the following punishments:" Source: SPA news agency website, Riyadh, in Arabic 1255 gmt 29 Apr 11
