Muscat: The new Media Law issued recently (Article 5) prohibits accepting any donations, subsidies, special benefits, or other benefits from any person or entity inside or outside the country, directly or indirectly, due to or on the occasion of practicing their activity, except after obtaining approval from the ministry.
Article 53 states that anyone who violates the provisions of Article 5 of this Law shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than three months and not more than two years, and a fine of not less than RO10,000 and not more than RO20,000.
The legal person shall also be punished with a fine of not less than RO50,000 and not more than RO100,000 if it is proven that the crime was committed in its name, on its behalf, or using its devices.
In all cases, the court shall order the confiscation of the proceeds of donations, subsidies, special benefits, or other benefits obtained in violation of the provisions of Article 5 of this Law.
Article 7 of the Law states that it is prohibited to display, promote, sell, or circulate printed materials or artistic works that include any of the publishing prohibitions stipulated in this law while Article 8 states that it is not permissible to import printed materials or artistic works except after obtaining written permission from the Ministry.
The following printed materials and artistic works are exempt from obtaining permission, under the conditions, procedures, and controls specified in the regulations:
1 - Publications and artistic works displayed for educational, cultural, or educational purposes through licensees.
2 - Publications and artistic works displayed in places covered by diplomatic immunity.
3 - Publications and artistic works imported or produced by units of the state’s administrative apparatus and other public legal entities.
4 - Printed materials and artistic works imported for personal use.
Article 54 states that whoever violates the provisions of Articles 7 and 8 of this Law shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than three months and not more than one year, and by a fine of not less than RO5,000 and not more than RO10,000 or by one of these two penalties. In all cases, the court shall order the confiscation of the printed material or artistic work that is the subject of the crime.
Article 42 states that it is not permissible to reprint a publication whose circulation is prohibited, or to print an unlicensed newspaper, pictures, or signs that violate public order and public morals.
It is also not permissible to print foreign newspapers inside the country or local newspapers outside it except with the approval of the Ministry, as stated in the regulations.
Article 55 states that whoever violates the provisions of Article 42 of this Law shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one month and not more than one year, and by a fine of not less than RO5,000 and not more than RO10,000 or by one of these two penalties.
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