The Minister, Abdul Aziz Khoja, posted on the micro-blogging website Twitter on Sunday that the new law was developed based on the opinions of youths, who he said have updated views on new media.

Online media see this initiative as a positive move, while it is being regarded by other Internet users as a bid to control the Saudi blogosphere.

The new system deleted a number of articles in the law that would have stipulated any person hoping to publish online needing to specify his or her age, needing to deliver a statement for good behavior, or the need to obtain publishing permission.

The ministry also extended the license period allowing writers to publish online from three to five years and stated that this gets renewed automatically unless the owner is informed otherwise.

A new article stated that this system would be implemented by the new Department of Electronic Media, while previously the system was to be implemented by the Department of Interior Media.

The law states that a license for publishing can only be issued to Saudis, even though both Saudis and expatriates with valid iqamas can actually apply for permission.

Arab News was not able to contact ministry spokesman Abdul Rahman Al-Hazza for clarification on this apparent contradiction.

Online media have welcomed this system, with Sabq Online editor in chief Mohammad Al-Shihri saying that it has helped to specify the government body editors has to liaise with.

Al-Shihri hoped that the system would protect copyright and prevent stories from being used without credit by other publications.

Sabq, now a two-language online newspaper, is already posting on its website that it has the license to operate from the ministry.

Al-Shihri said that the new system is clearer compared to the first draft.

“We are different from bloggers and we have been saying this from the start. What we need is to have a particular government body that we can refer to. In the end, we would not like to be embarrassed in front of government bodies or individuals, thus we are already adhering to the system,” said Al-Shihri who criticized “unprofessional” online newspapers who would now need to get permission to be part of a system they allegedly fail to adhere to.

Fouad Al-Farhan, a Saudi blogger, said the ministry is not the body to moderate online activities.

The ministry’s power, he explained, should be restricted to traditional mass media operating in the Kingdom, such as broadcast and print organizations. “New media cannot be asked to refer to a traditional ministry, as it is for individuals, groups and citizen journalists, and cannot be moderated by a government body,” explained Al-Farhan. Asked if they would register their blogs with the ministry, he replied: “It is a personal choice for individual bloggers, but I don’t believe there will be cooperation.”

Trad Al-Asmari, another blogger, said that the new regulation only serves online newspapers, but does not give much incentive to bloggers. “At this time, what we need is more freedom and enforcement of self-monitoring. The law cannot catch up with the new media, which is expanding as technology develops.”

The online newspapers, explained Al-Asmari, are welcoming the law and actually have pushed for it. “It gives them more prestige and they are also making money from their SMS services. This is not the case with bloggers who are writing for social causes and are not expecting any rewards. Those who devised this system are creating it just to make rules, they probably do not have any experience in new media.”