Kuwait seeks tough media penalties

KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait’s Cabinet has approved a new media bill stipulating a 10-year jail term for religious offenses and a fine of more than $ 1 million for criticizing the emir, local media reported yesterday.
The government has not released the “combined media law” but local newspapers published some details.
To become effective, the new law must be passed by the pro-government Parliament and signed by the emir.
The draft bill proposes a jail term of up to 10 years for insulting God,Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), his companions and wives, and other prophets. The same penalty applies to those instigating the overthrow of the government.
It also stipulates a fine of between 50,000 dinars ($ 175,000) and 300,000 dinars ($ 1.05 million) for criticizing the emir or the crown prince.
Besides conventional media such as newspapers and television, the draft bill extends government control to all social networks including Twitter, blogs and electronic publications, which require a license from the information ministry.
License violators are liable to pay a fine of up to 200,000 dinars ($ 700,000). At present, the fine is $ 3,500.
The maximum fine for any violation in the existing media law is $ 70,000.