Satellite operators drop Iran station

Cairo: The Middle East's two main satellite operators have dropped an Arabic-speaking Iranian television station, a decision described by the broadcaster on Wednesday as an attempt to stifle Iran's voice in the region.

The Arabic-speaking Al Alam, based in Iran, said the decision on Wednesday was politically motivated. Al Alam has been critical of Arab governments.

The station is carried by Saudi Arabia-hosted ArabSat and the Egyptian-owned NileSat and reaches millions of Arabic speaking viewers in over 100 countries.

Egypt's Middle East News Agency said the decision was because of contractual violations, without elaborating. A senior executive with Arabsat told the London-based Arabic daily Asharq Al Awsat that the action was not influenced by any political decision and that it is purely a contractual disagreement between the two sides

An operations official at ArabSat, Samuel Habashi, confirmed the station was off the air.

Atef Al Mousawi, head of Al Alam's bureau in Beirut, said his station was seeking explanations from officials at both operators, and said the decision muzzled freedom of expression. He said an Egyptian official told them the decision came from "higher authorities" without explanation.

"We understand it is a political decision," Al Mousawi said. "Is the Arab world now only able to face Iran by shutting down a station? Iran is not only strong with its media."

Al Mousawi said the station was still being broadcast through four other operators, who cover mainly Europe, the United States and Asia.

Regional caution

Arab countries, particularly Egypt and Saudi Arabia, are wary of the expanding influence of Iran in the region, through its support of militant groups and hard-line factions in the region. They also fear the country's nuclear programme.

In a statement posted on Al Alam's web site, the station said ArabSat accused it of "disgracing traditions and criticising Arab officials, in a clear admission that the deactivation was for political reasons."

Al Alam said ArabSat had sent the accusations in a letter to Al Alam's management.