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Arab Nations Consider Broadcasting Censorship Necessary
For the past few years the backers of Arabsat and Nilesat have advocated an independent broadcasting regulator in the style of Ofcom or the FCC. An extraordinary meeting opened in Cairo on Jan 24 of the Arab League’s 22-member Information Ministers, and is addressing the problem.
Last month a US Congressional report stated bluntly that Arabsat and Nilesat should be considered “terror organisations” and that the satellite operators “incite violence” because of the contentious channels they carry.
We informed on Jan 3: “House law no. 2278, backed by Rep. Jesse Pelerakis and Democrat Joseph Crowley in May and passed by the House on December 8, urges the US administration to revise the nature of their relationship and assistance to states that provide satellite service for channels which are considered to incite violence against America.”
Now the Cairo meeting is urgently examining its options. Some two years ago Arabsat and Nilesat recommended the creation of a pan-regional Arab Media Commission, but not all of its member states backed the proposal. Qatar, home to Al Jazeera, was distinctly lukewarm on the suggestion.
On the pro side are political and economic heavyweights Egypt and Saudi Arabia while on the opposing camp is Lebanon’s Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Manar, which would likely be scrutinized by the new organization, as would Qatar-based Al-Jazeera.