Saudi Arabia has blocked 41 its online newspapers for operating without a license, local media reported on Monday.

Abdulaziz Al Mulham, spokesperson of the Culture and Information Ministry, told Al Eqtisadiya newspaper that the online newspapers had failed to obtain official permission despite being given extended grace periods for rectification.

He accused some of the blocked online newspapers of operating with hidden agendas.

Before the reported blockage, Saudi Arabia had about 81 newspapers, including print and online, most in Arabic.