Kuwait News Agency reported that the Cabinet took the decision during its weekly meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. The decree-law seeks to address recent world digital and technological developments that have transformed media operations. Cabinet members voted to send the draft to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for final approval before it enters into force. The approval concludes a multi-year drafting process that involved extensive consultations across government agencies.
Information Minister Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi told Kuwait Times in January 2025 that the legislation would balance freedom of expression with responsible media practices while avoiding imprisonment penalties except in two cases. Those exceptions cover defamation of the divine entity and prophets or of the ruling authority. Al-Mutairi added that the law grants media outlets the necessary operational space provided they adhere to defined safeguards. The minister had framed the measure as a qualitative leap that translates the Ministry of Information’s strategy for a modern, professional and innovative sector capable of matching digital transformation.
The draft was finalized in October 2025 after coordination with the Fatwa and Legislation Department and input from various stakeholders, according to accounts published by regional Arabic-language outlets. It merges regulations previously spread across separate statutes covering printed press, audiovisual broadcasting and electronic platforms, including provisions from a 2016 law on electronic media. This consolidation aims to close regulatory gaps that emerged with the rapid expansion of online content and social platforms. The unified text also sets licensing and compliance standards applicable to both traditional and new media entities.
Al-Mutairi had emphasized during earlier briefings that the law resulted from dialogue with media institutions and lawmakers to incorporate their observations and avoid undue restrictions. The Ministry of Information maintained that the framework promotes accountability without curtailing legitimate journalistic activity. Preparatory reviews involved six government bodies including the Ministries of Justice, Foreign Affairs and Commerce as well as the Communications Authority and Cyber Security Agency. Such collaboration ensured the draft reflected both national priorities and evolving international norms in digital governance.
Kuwait News Agency noted that the Cabinet session also examined a separate draft decree-law on governmental sukuk, which was likewise referred to the Amir. In addition the meeting received briefings on diplomatic correspondence from the Amir to leaders in Yemen, South Korea and Japan regarding bilateral ties and regional matters. The ministers reviewed a newly concluded defense cooperation agreement signed with Pakistan during a visit by the Kuwaiti defense minister. These items formed part of the broader agenda that placed the media regulation decree among key legislative actions taken that day.
