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The decree-law, published in issue No. 1811 of the Official Gazette Kuwait Al-Youm, will enter into force six months after publication, Kuwait Times reported on Sunday. KUNA reported that the competent minister must issue executive regulations within those initial six months. Existing media operators will then receive an additional six months from the issuance of those regulations to regularize their status or face revocation of their licenses.
The legislation repeals Law No. 3 of 2006 on Publications, Law No. 61 of 2007 on Audiovisual Media and Law No. 8 of 2016 on Electronic Media, along with any conflicting provisions, according to the Kuwait Times account of the decree. This consolidation creates a single legal reference for the sector, the decree-law states. The explanatory memorandum described the measure as a qualitative shift designed to modernize the regulatory environment in response to technological changes.
Scope of the law covers traditional newspapers and publications, audiovisual media, technical broadcasting services, electronic news outlets, news agencies, foreign correspondents, artistic production, cinema and related activities, Kuwait Times said. It also extends regulatory requirements to digital activities including social media advertising and commercial promotion when directed at audiences in Kuwait. Violations of the provisions will be subject to fines as well as administrative sanctions, the decree-law specifies.
Media activities and books displayed at official book fairs will not be subject to prior censorship, according to the law’s explanatory memorandum cited by Kuwait Times. The memorandum emphasized the legislation’s aim to update rules that had become outdated amid rapid industry evolution. Such provisions form part of a broader effort to balance oversight with operational flexibility for licensed entities.
Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology Omar Al-Omar told KUNA in September that the draft law represented a major step toward modernizing Kuwait’s media legislation and establishing a unified framework. Al-Omar noted that the law introduces an electronic licensing platform to simplify procedures, reduce processing times and encourage investment in media and creative sectors. The framework also addresses content creators and the use of artificial intelligence in media production for the first time.
A separate Decree-Law No. 10 of 2026 on Digital Commerce, enacted earlier this year, had already introduced requirements for clear disclosure in online promotions and prohibitions on misleading advertising, Times Kuwait reported in March. That legislation mandates record-keeping for influencer campaigns and compliance with anti-money laundering rules for payments. The new Media Regulation Law integrates and expands upon these digital oversight elements within its comprehensive structure.
The law’s provisions encompass embedded advertisements, product reviews, giveaways, contests and AI-generated content when such material targets the Kuwaiti public, according to cabinet announcements summarized by Times Kuwait in September. Operators engaged in these activities must secure licenses through the designated electronic system. The unified approach seeks to enhance transparency and consumer safeguards across both legacy and emerging media formats.
