Reporters Without Borders — Kuwait country profile (media landscape, legal framework and the 2026 wartime restrictions)

OVERVIEW. "Despite its reputation as the least repressive country in the Gulf, the emirate exercises a great deal of control over news and information, which increased under the reign of Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad." In 2026 "official directives banned all coverage of the war on national security grounds".

MEDIA. The press is dominated by Al-Qabas, Al-Jarida and Al-Siyasa, "not very critical of the government"; podcasts such as Bidun Waraq and digital magazines such as Manshoor have widened the field. Most media companies are owned by wealthy families; opening an outlet requires an expensive government licence; large outlets act as communication tools for the private sector, "with large sums paid in exchange for an article".

LAW. RSF states that since 2020 a law on the right of access to information has been "supposed to safeguard" journalists' work, but is thwarted by censorship laws prohibiting criticism of the government, the Amir, the ruling family, allies or religion, and by the cybercrime law in force since January 2016. Outlets have been closed for "anti-government" comments (Al-Watan TV, 2015).

SAFETY. Kuwait does not murder or imprison journalists as a rule, but some have fled to avoid prison sentences, and interrogations and short detentions have a chilling effect. Taboo subjects include migrant workers' rights, women's rights and corruption.

USE IN A REPORT: RSF's current summary of press freedom in Kuwait; the profile is updated over time, so cite it with the date it was read.

RSF says Kuwait has had a right-of-access-to-information law since 2020; Freedom House's 2025 edition says Kuwait "does not have any legislation guaranteeing the right to access public information". The two statements cannot both be right, and a report that turns on the point should cite the law itself from the Official Gazette. The profile as read contains no ranking; RSF's World Press Freedom Index position should be cited from the Index itself, with its year.