Kuwait Issues New Media Regulation Law, With Licences for Websites, Influencers and Advertisers

Kuwait has issued Decree-Law No. 102 of 2026 promulgating the Media Regulation Law, published in Kuwait Al-Youm Issue 1811 (pages A2 to A16) on Sunday 4 October 2026. The law takes effect six months after publication, around 4 April 2027, and repeals the Press and Publications Law (No. 3 of 2006), the Audiovisual Media Law (No. 61 of 2007) and the Electronic Media Law (No. 8 of 2016).

One law and one licensing system now cover newspapers, printing, broadcasting, cinemas, advertising, news websites and social media, run by the General Administration for Media Regulation at the Ministry of Information. For the first time, influencers and paid advertisers on social platforms need a licence (Chapter 8). The applicant must be at least 18, the licence lasts two years and can be renewed, and the Ministry has 60 days to decide; silence counts as a refusal. A personal account is outside the law unless it is used for regular professional or commercial media or advertising activity.

Advertising without a licence carries a fine of KD 1,000 to KD 50,000 (Article 55), and running a media activity without one KD 1,000 to KD 10,000 plus closure (Article 58). The Minister must issue the Executive Regulations within six months of publication, and existing operators then have six months to regularise their position or lose their licence.

WEFAQ's view: any business that pays influencers, runs a branded content channel or publishes news-style content should list now which accounts and sites fall inside the law, and who holds the licence for each. The Executive Regulations will decide many practical details, so the next six months matter.

Read more: for the full analysis, read our companion blog article: 'Kuwait Media Law 2026: What It Means for Influencers, Companies and Media Businesses'.

Source: Decree-Law No. 102 of 2026 promulgating the Media Regulation Law, with its explanatory memorandum; Kuwait Al-Youm Issue 1811, pages A2 to A16, dated 4 October 2026.

This article is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your circumstances, please contact WEFAQ Law Firm.