A DRAFT law that significantly amends the 1973 Advertisements Law, introducing stricter penalties for violations and streamlining advertising oversight in the kingdom, has been referred to Parliament by the government.
The proposed law raises fines and introduces jail terms for unauthorised or misleading advertisements, as well as for obstructing municipal inspectors.
It also allows for broader government co-ordination and a shift in responsibilities of ministries and agencies.
“This legislation is a major step forward in protecting the advertising sector from harmful practices and ensuring a more efficient, transparent regulatory process,” said Parliament public utilities and environment affairs committee chairman Mohammed Al Bulooshi.
The proposed law revises five major articles of the 1973 legislation, notably Article (16), which now imposes prison sentences and fines ranging from BD1,000 to BD20,000 for several offenses, including:
l Advertising without a licence or violating licensing conditions,
l Submitting false information to obtain permits, and
l Obstructing government inspectors or withholding records.
Courts will also be mandated to order the removal of the offending advertisement and restoration of the site to its original condition at the violator’s expense.
The penalties multiply with the number of violations.
Article (17) increases the fine for damaging or defacing licensed advertisements, from BD50 to up to BD1,000.
Under the draft law, the definition of advertisements is expanded to include modern mediums such as digital displays and light-based signage.
A new article – Article (14) bis – empowers the minister concerned, with Cabinet approval, to delegate certain enforcement responsibilities to other relevant entities.
Meanwhile, the abolition of Article (5) eliminates the need to form a dedicated committee from various agencies to oversee advertising implementation, centralising authority within the ministry.
The Parliament committee has approved the text of each article in full as submitted by the government.
The draft law will be debated, and voted on, in Parliament on Tuesday. If passed, it will come into effect the day after its publication in the Official Gazette.
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