Some states tighten leash on satellite TV

Cairo: Ministers of information are trying to muzzle freedom of expression in the Arab world, Egyptian media personalities warn.

A recent charter adopted by ministers restricting satellite channels "basically seeks to protect the Arab regimes in view of mounting public anger and protests," said Wael Al Ebrashi, a talk-show host on the private Egyptian Dream TV. "It also aims to stop certain programmes on certain satellite channels and prevent the establishment of new channels," added Al Ebrashi, who is also an editor of an independent weekly.

Al Ebrashi is one of four opposition editors sentenced to two years in prison each late last year for slandering senior officials in Egypt's ruling National Democratic Party.

Officials from around the region met in Cairo recently for emergency talks. Except for Qatar, they endorsed the controversial code, reportedly suggested by Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Qatar, whose maverick TV news channel Al Jazeera often draws criticism from Arab governments, has said it will examine the charter to ensure it does not contradict its legal system.

The charter stipulates that broadcasters cannot criticise religions or "defame political, national and religious leaders". It demands television stations to refrain "from any form of incitement to hatred, violence or terrorism". Violators risk the suspension or cancellation of their broadcasting licences.

"The Egyptian authorities know that satellite channels have contributed to the spread of strikes and protests in the country," Al Ebrashi told Gulf News. "These channels report hard news and give deprived people the opportunity to speak out and demand their rights," he added.

Egyptian Minister of Information Anas Al Feqqi has said his country will embark on enforcing the charter. "The number of satellite channels has jumped from 13 in 1993 to 400 at present. "Violations have become rife. A channel which started as a general channel, has turned into a religious broadcaster presenting fatwas (Islamic edicts)," added Al Feqqi. "This is chaotic."

While admitting "some violations in the satellite media", Besheer Hassan, the editor of a popular talk show on the Egyptian private channel Al Mehwar, asserts that these violations are not deliberate.

"We have not been used in the past to that scope of freedom. Moreover, the officials themselves are not used to being criticised heavily by the media," he said in press statement.

Hewaida Mustafa, a professor of media at Cairo University, however, believes that the charter will "put an end to a number of violations".

"I'm not for absolute freedom, as it does not lead to healthy media practices. There must be an agreement to preserve social peace."