Shura Council proposes license for influencers in Qatar

The Shura Council convened its regular weekly session on Monday, chaired by Speaker HE Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim, at the Tamim bin Hamad Hall.

The session began with Shura Council Secretary-General HE Nayef bin Mohammed Al Mahmoud presenting the agenda, followed by the approval of the minutes from the previous session.

One of the key topics on the agenda was a debate motion based on the report from the Education, Culture, Sport, and Information Committee regarding the regulation of digital content creation.

HE Al Ghanim underscored the importance of free speech and personal freedoms as enshrined in the Qatari Constitution. However, he emphasized that all residents and visitors in Qatar must respect public order, morals, national traditions, and established customs.

Addressing the growing influence of digital platforms, particularly on youth, HE Al Ghanim highlighted the risks of unregulated digital and social media usage. He stressed the need for content on these platforms to uphold societal stability and reflect ethical and cultural values.

The Chairman of the Education, Culture, Sport, and Information Committee, HE Khalid bin Ahmed Al Obaidan, presented the committee’s findings and detailed its consultations with various stakeholders on the matter.

Following a comprehensive debate, the Shura Council resolved to submit a proposal to the Cabinet for the regulation of digital media content. The proposed framework includes licensing social media influencers through state authorities to ensure their content aligns with national values and cultural identity while curbing the dissemination of foreign influences and unregulated advertisements.

The licensing regulations aim to safeguard national unity, promote social cohesion, and prevent hate speech, discrimination, and violence. They also emphasize the importance of respecting intellectual property rights, ensuring transparency, and fulfilling social responsibility by avoiding misleading or unverified information.

In other discussions, the Shura Council reviewed a government bill concerning Qatar’s national emblem and referred it to the Internal and External Affairs Committee for further deliberation.

The Council also approved amendments to the Income Tax Law (Law No. 24 of 2018), enabling multinational companies to submit tax returns and implement international measures to combat tax base erosion and profit shifting. The amendments were referred to the government after considering the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee’s report.

The session concluded with a review of reports on the Shura Council delegations' recent participation in regional and international parliamentary events.

---

Make sure to check out our social media to keep track of the latest content. 

Instagram - @qatarliving

X - @qatarliving

Facebook - Qatar Living

YouTube - qatarlivingofficial