Arab League Tightens Control over Broadcasters
By Joseph Catapano
February 15, 2008 | Printer Friendly

Numerous press reports indicate that at least 20 of the 22 Arab League States have adopted a broadcasting charter that increases and solidifies state control over broadcasts in the region. Qatar, the country home to popular media outlet Al-Jazeera, was the only state to not ratify the Charter, citing legal reasons; the Lebanese Minister said his government did not regard the decision as binding.

Egyptian political analyst Issandr el-Amrani said the idea for the Charter came after the “proliferation of political talk shows in recent years, which gave ‘a much stronger voice to opposition politicians and movements like the Muslim Brotherhood.’”

Arab satellite broadcasters have enjoyed some degree of freedom recently, in part because these outlets are privately financed. As a result of this relative autonomy, those outlets are able to encourage open discussion of sensitive matters, including actions taken by governments in the region, who are often quick to crack down on any outspoken dissent. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for example, has recently banned live talk shows along with live phone-ins.

The Charter could affect over 400 satellite channels, which serve tens of millions of viewers in the Arab world. According to the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram “new guidelines include making no mention of heads of states, religious or national figures in a harmful manner; not airing material that incites hatred, violence or terrorism; [and] not airing clips that include sexual dialogues or connotations.” AFP reports that broadcast channels should "refrain from broadcasting anything which calls into question God, the monotheistic religions, the prophets, sects or symbols of the various religious communities."  The Charter also contains the following clause:

“Freedom (of expression) is to be exercised with awareness and responsibility to protect the supreme interests of the Arab states and the Arab nation.”

According to the meeting of Arab information ministers who ratified the Charter, this action will “ban material that undermines social peace, national unity, public order, and general propriety.”

“These regulations are not only repressive but also retrograde,” stated the press freedom organization Reporters Without Borders. “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.”

References:

Reuters: Arab information ministers adopt broadcast charter

Ft. Worth Star-Telegram: Broadcasts may be restricted

Reporters Without Borders: Arab League adopts strict rules for satellite TV stations

AFP: Arab states slap ‘regulations’ on satellite channels