Women anchors at the Saudi Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) have to wear the abaya, which covers everything except for the face, but they can decorate it with coloured ribbons representing their channel, like blue for the Al-Ikhbariya TV station.

Riyadh (AsiaNews) - The Saudi Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) has begun implementing a new dress code for its women TV anchors that requires they be dressed all in black, except for their face, but with the possibility of adding coloured corporate ribbons.

The code demands in other words that anchorwomen wear black headscarves and abayas, which cover the whole body except for the face. However, they could be decorated on the sides with ribbons to match the corporate colours of the channels they represent, for example blue for the Al-Ikhbariya channel.

Arab News reports that the decision is probably due to a makeover for the new year or a desire to anticipate the decision of the Shoura Council to introduce new rules on women's clothing.

A proposed amendment to the audio-visual law would impose a fine on anyone failing to comply with the dress code.

The issue has divided the Shoura Council. Several members opposed it, with one saying that it would be illegal because there is no law currently that imposes a dress code for women in the country.

The council has postponed discussing the issue for the time being because of the mixed reaction from members.

• saudi
• arabia
• dress
• code
• abaya
• broadcasting
• corporation
• audio-visual
• law