Awareness of Media Laws: A Study of the Impact of Understanding Regulations on Media Compliance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This study aims to understand the impact of media regulations on the public's compliance
with them in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The research objectives include analyzing the
level of public awareness of these regulations, identifying the factors influencing their
perception, and examining the effect of the language used in these regulations on
understanding and compliance. Additionally, the study seeks to explore the relationship
between the level of public understanding and their adherence to the laws, and to provide
recommendations for relevant authorities to enhance access to information regarding the
regulations.
The results indicate that the public's understanding of media regulations ranges from
moderate to good, with an urgent need for increased awareness, particularly among groups
not directly related to the media profession. It was also found that legal terminology and the
details of terms and conditions pose barriers to understanding, necessitating the
simplification of legal language to make the information clearer. Furthermore, the findings
confirmed that the language used in formulating regulations significantly affects public
compliance, as the use of simple language contributes to fostering a culture of awareness
and reducing violations .
The public primarily relied on digital media, such as social media platforms, as a source of
information about the regulations, highlighting the importance of improving these channels.
Finally, the research demonstrated that a lack of complete understanding of the regulations
may lead to unintentional media violations, underscoring the need for greater clarification
of the applicable media provisions.
A random sample of 200 individuals, representing citizens within the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia, was studied over a two-week period. The study revolves around key questions
regarding the extent of public understanding of media regulations and how their
understanding affects their compliance .
The study recommends providing sufficient information about the regulations and
simplifying legal language, with a focus on the penalties associated with these violations .
Keywords: Media Laws, Media Literacy, Media Regulations and System