General Authority of Media Regulation
Agency overview
Formed2012
JurisdictionSaudi Arabia
HeadquartersRiyadh, Saudi Arabia
Agency executive
Parent departmentMinistry of Media
Websitehttps://www.gcam.gov.sa/

The General Commission for Audiovisual Media (GCAM; Arabic: الهيئة العامة للإعلام المرئي والمسموع, romanized: Al-Hayʾah Al-ʿĀmmah Lil-ʾIʿlām Al-Marʾiyy wal-Masmūʿ) is a government organization in Saudi Arabia. It was founded in 2012, and is responsible for the development, regulation, and supervision of audio-visual media transmission and content within the country.[1][2] GCAM reports to the Ministry of Media and is independent in terms of finance and administration.[1] Esra Assery is currently appointed as CEO of the General Commission for Audiovisual Media.[3]

History

The General Commission for Audiovisual Media was founded following decision no. #236 of the Council of Ministers on 21 Rajab 1433 AH (11 June 2012). In Shawwal 1433 AH (September 2012), the organisation of GCAM was approved, which includes having a board of directors headed by the Minister of Culture and Information (or presently the Minister of Media as of 2018).[4]

Responsibilities

GCAM conducts and regulation and policies audiovisual activities in accordance with Kingdom’s “media policy” as well as provides related services to facilitates the content broadcasting.[5] furthermore, it issues and manages licenses for audiovisual media transmission and content.[5][1] GCAM is also responsible for technical issues and specifications related to the media such as providing the approval for the frequency spectrum, media transmission devices.[5]

Saudi cinema

In December 2017, The General Commission of Audiovisual Media chaired by Ministry of Culture and Information (currently Ministry of Media) announced the re-opening the cinema in the Kingdom where the commission would be responsible for granting licenses to cinemas.[6][7]

Saudi Arabian age rating systems

Video games

In August 2016, GCAM introduced Saudi Arabia's official age rating system for video games. This came following two years of research, and working closely with Sony MEA's Saudi office, whom handles the PlayStation brand in the country. The first game title released under GCAM's rating is Uncharted 4: A Thief's End.[8][9] Any game is effectively banned if GCAM refuses to rate it. The ratings include the following:

IconRatingDescription
3Video game content suitable for ages 3 and above only.
7Video game content suitable for ages 7 and above only.
12Video game content suitable for ages 12 and above only.
16Video game content suitable for ages 16 and above only.
18Video game content suitable for ages 18 and above only.
To be classified(Introduced in 2020) Video game content has not been yet classified. This symbol is used in early marketing prior to said game's release.

Films

Following the December 2017 announcement of film theatres re-opening in Saudi Arabia, in early 2018 Deadline Hollywood reported that the Center for International Communication (CIC) started developing a new content classification system for films to be exhibited in the country.[10] By April 2018, GCAM has officially approved of a 6-category film content classification system.[11] In June 2022, the system was silently revised with an additional "PG15" classification,[12] and the "R12" classification has been eventually officially retired.[13]

Any film is refused classification (effectively banned) if said film does not pass GCAM's censorship standards, unless edited by the film's local or global distributor if possible. Theatres are obligated to refuse admittance to any minor under minimal age from viewing films rated "R12" or higher. As of June 2022, the ratings include the following:

IconRatingDescription
GFilm is suitable for a general audience of all ages.
PGParental guidance is advised for film audience below 12 years old.
PG12Film audience below 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
PG15Film audience below 15 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
R15Film audience below 15 years old are prohibited to be admitted.
R18Film audience below 18 years old are prohibited to be admitted.

Former ratings

IconRatingDescriptionYears used
R12Film audience below 12 years old are prohibited to be admitted.
(This classification has been phased out and retired.)		2018-2022

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Authority to monitor audiovisual media". Arab News. 2012-09-04. Retrieved 2019-03-19.
  2. ↑ "General Commission of Audiovisual Media -- GCAM". Linkedin. 19 March 2019.
  3. ↑ "Who's Who: Esra Assery, CEO of the General Commission for Audiovisual Media". Arab News. 2021-02-11. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
  4. ↑ "عن الهيئة" (in Arabic). General Commission for Audiovisual Media. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 "New Saudi authority for the regulation of Audio and Visual Media". Al Tamimi & Company. Retrieved 2019-03-19.
  6. ↑ "Cinemas to re-open in Saudi Arabia as of 2018, Ministry of Information confirms". Arab News. 2017-12-11. Retrieved 2019-03-19.
  7. ↑ Dudley, Dominic. "Saudi Arabia Lifts Ban On Movie Theatres At Last". Forbes. Retrieved 2019-03-19.
  8. ↑ Jisr, Lynn (15 August 2016). "Gcam Implements New Rating System in Saudi Arabia". IGN Middle East. Retrieved 15 September 2019.
  9. ↑ "التصنيف العمري للألعاب الإلكترونية" (in Arabic). General Commission for Audiovisual Media. Retrieved 15 September 2019.
  10. ↑ Tartaglione, Nancy (11 January 2018). "Saudi Arabia Developing Film Ratings System As It Lifts Movie Theater Ban". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  11. ↑ "General Commission for Audiovisual Media Approves Films Ratings". Ministry of Media's official news site. 23 April 2018. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  12. ↑ General Commission for Audiovisual Media [@gcamsa] (September 14, 2022). "11:00 AM · Sep 14, 2022" (Tweet). Retrieved 25 September 2022 – via Twitter.
  13. ↑ General Commission for Audiovisual Media [@gcamsa] (May 15, 2023). "بمناسبة #اليوم_العالمي_للأسرة، تساهم الهيئة في تحديد مدى ملاءمة المحتوى الإعلامي #المرئي_والمسموع للفئات العمرية المختلفة" (Tweet) (in Arabic). Retrieved 8 June 2023 – via Twitter.
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