CPJThe Committee to Protect Journalists has rapped the latest restrictions imposed by Saudi Arabia on its already heavily censored media.

The Kingdom's Ministry of Culture and Information will require websites to have a municipal license, office space and commercial registration.

A spokesperson for the Ministry also said website editors-in-chief should have college degrees and Saudi citizenship, according to CPJ.

The rules go into effect in October. Websites that fail to comply with the toughened regulations will be shuttered.

The Saudi government said the measures follow reports the online sites spread rumors that led to incitement and infringed on the personal rights of some individuals.

Sherif Mansour, CPJ's Middle East and North Africa program coordinator, accused the government of sending a clear message that it will be almost impossible for online media to operate with any autonomy.

"We are deeply concerned by these measures and call on the Saudi government to stop interfering with the flow of news and information," said Mansour.

Saudi Arabia ranked No. 3 on CPJ's 2014 ranking of the most censored nations, trailing North Korea and Eritrea.

Qorvis handles Saudi Arabia's PR in the US.