Mideast states control satellites

Arab League nations keep hold of broadcasts

By BRYAN PEARSON

BAGHDAD -- Arab countries have adopted a satellite broadcasting charter that entrenches state control over broadcasts and bars content likely to "offend."

The document adopted in Cairo Feb. 12 authorizes signatory countries to "withdraw, freeze or not renew the work permits of media that break the regulations."

With opposition only from Qatar, which hosts Al-Jazeera, information ministers of the 22-member Arab League overwhelmingly voted in favor of the document.

Critics claim the charter will curtail political expression and is a response to the freedoms governments say Arab satellite broadcasters, especially those financed privately, are exploiting to encourage debate on sensitive political issues and giving a voice to opposition movements such as the Muslim Brotherhood.

The past decade has seen a boom in free-to-air Arab satellite TV, with more than 250 million satcasters in operation.

The charter calls on stations "not to offend the leaders or national and religious symbols" of Arab countries.

Satellite channels, it says, "should not damage social harmony, national unity, public order or traditional values."

Programming should "conform with the religious and ethical values of Arab society and take account of its family structure."

Channels should "refrain from broadcasting anything that calls into question God, the monotheistic religions, the prophets, sects or symbols of the various religious communities."

Broadcasters should avoid "erotic or obscene material" or programs that "encourage smoking or the consumption of alcohol."

They should also "protect Arab identity from the harmful effects of globalization."

The meeting was called by Egypt, which hosts the Arab League and serves as base for several Arab satellite channels. Cairo and Riyadh often complain of criticism of their regimes in talkshows aired by Al-Jazeera and other satcasters.

Egyptian Information Minister Anas El Fiqqi told reporters his country would be the first to implement the Cairo document.

"Some satellite channels have strayed from the correct path," he said.

Qatar said it was still studying the document and was reluctant to adopt it for legal rather than political reasons.