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Arab League trying to squeeze sat TV
Written by: Andrew Stroehlein
Reuters and AlertNet are not responsible for the content of this article or for any external internet sites. The views expressed are the author's alone.
This week, Arab League Information Ministers agreed tough new restrictions on satellite TV news broadcasters. As the international Arabic news networks are very often the only source of independent information in these closed societies, this is an alarming move against freedom of information.
According to Reporters Without Borders, the Charter authorises signatory countries to “withdraw, freeze or not renew the work permits of media which break the regulations”, and stipulates that satellite TV stations “should not damage social harmony, national unity, public order or traditional values.” Such language is vague enough for a government to justify just about any crackdown.
Of course, some will rightfully ask if this agreement represents a real threat or if it is just another ignorable statement from the Arab League, which doesn’t exactly have the reputation of being an effective multi-national organisation.
But Al-Jazeera is clearly worried. Qatar, where the satellite network is based, voted against the agreement -- the only Arab League member to do so. And Al Jazeera has issued a statement just now -- on a Friday no less, which is the weekend in Qatar -- calling the Charter issued by the Arab League’s Ministers of Information “a risk to the freedom of expression in the Arab world”.
I cannot actually see a link to Al Jazeera’s statement anywhere online yet (I received it from them just a few minutes ago), so I will publish it here in full:
DOHA, Qatar, February 15, 2008: Al Jazeera considers the adoption of the charter “Principles for Regulating Satellite TV in the Arab World” issued by the Arab League’s Ministers of Information a risk to the freedom of expression in the Arab world. Some of the language contained within the Charter is ambiguous and could be interpreted to actively hinder independent reporting from the region.If they are worried, then anyone concerned about freedom of information in the Arab-speaking world ought to be too. Last word to Reporters Without Borders:
Wadah Khanfar, Director General of the Al Jazeera Network stated that, “Any code of ethics or governance for journalistic practices should emerge, and be governed, from within the profession and not be imposed externally by political institutions. Where codes of ethics are violated and contraventions of journalistic practice occur, for defamation of character or otherwise, there should be independent legal processes to resolve these issues. The region has seen the recent emergence of many media institutions and every attempt should be made not to hamper, but to facilitate, an environment to encourage their independence and freedom.”
These regulations are not only repressive but also retrograde. Instead of working to relax the often very rigid press laws in force in their countries, the Arab League information ministers have banded together to put pressure on news media that have been annoying them and escaping their control.
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Journalist Andrew Stroehlein is Director of Media and Information for the International Crisis Group, the conflict resolution organisation, where he promotes responsible coverage of current and potential conflicts and helps draw attention to forgotten wars around the world.
