The Saudi Journalists' Commission (SJC) has held the founders of a Saudi online news website accountable for libeling 13 Saudi women journalists. SJC Chairman Turki Al-Sudairi said in a meeting Saturday that the Commission has decided to take legal action against those who commit such “malpractices.” The ministries of Interior and Culture and Information, along with the Human Rights Commission (HRC), are also looking into a joint complaint from the 13 women who claim that they have been the victims of libel. The journalists say the website has exploited the freedom of electronic publishing. Journalist Sharifah Al-Saeed said the case against the website was part of efforts to “preserve the integrity of the media.” Saturday's decision was made after SJC members discussed the accusations made on the website against the women, and found that they were false and baseless. The Commission reiterated its commitment to protecting journalists and called upon the founders of the website to strictly abide by the principles and ethics of publication, otherwise it will legally and professionally hold them responsible in accordance with the Anti-Information
