“The council is aware of the imminent danger of the multimedia and mass media … and their implications on the cultural, social and economic life of people in the Kingdom,” said Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz Al-Yahya, the council’s assistant secretary-general, in a statement following discussions on the issue. He added that the Shoura members suggested creating a central body to codify the moral and social content of the mass media, which includes mobile phones, TVs, the Internet, radio and other electronic devices that can be misused.
Having discussed the issue at length, Yahya said that the members still feel that a detailed study should be made into this matter, which is of paramount importance to both the government and members of the public.
The members also took up a child protection scheme put forward by the council's Social Affairs Committee. The proposal, which includes 25 articles, has been drafted according to Islamic law to protect children from abuse and neglect, said Al-Yahya, adding that the draft outlines the rights of children and includes proposals to hold awareness programs explaining to children their rights and privileges.
The council also heard a report from the Committee on Economic Affairs and Energy on the draft convention between the Kingdom and the Czech Republic on the promotion and reciprocal protection of investments. The house unanimously approved draft recommendations, which details the incentives for investors in both the Czech Republic and the Kingdom.
