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Arab League: New Regulations for Satellite Television. "Not to damage social harmony, national unity, public order or traditional values" are some of the recommendations of the new regulations for Arab …More
Arab League: New Regulations for Satellite Television.

"Not to damage social harmony, national unity, public order or traditional values" are some of the recommendations of the new regulations for Arab Satellite Televisions, approved by the Arab League, the Misna News Agency reports.

During the Arab League's meeting, convened in Cairo on Tuesday, February 12, the 22 Ministers of Information and Communications of the Arab League approved a document that establishes new guidelines.

The document requires that Satellite TV broadcasting "conform with the religious and ethical values of Arab society", "to refrain from broadcasting anything which calls into question the monotheistic religions and that offends national leaders," and prohibits the broadcasting of "obscene and erotic material" as well as programs that "encourage smoking or the consumption of alcohol."

In the case of violations, the 22 countries threaten to "withdraw, freeze or not renew the work permits" of the violators. The nay votes were from Qartar, a transmitter of panArab satellite, and international Al Jazeera.

"Some satellite channels have drifted away from the good path", said Anas al-Fiqui, the Egyptian Minister of Information who convened the meeting.

'Article XIX', the international association for the protection of freedom of speech, commented that this is a new form of censure that seeks to impede millions of people from accessing information.