Middle East Regimes to Police Satellite Channels……………
“Disturbing moves to create super-police for Arab satellite TV stations. When Arab information ministers meet in Cairo on 24 January they are to discuss a joint proposal by the Egyptian and Saudi governments for the creation of a regional office to supervise Arab satellite TV stations. The proposal is partly a response to bill adopted last month by the US House of Representatives that could result in satellite operators themselves being branded as “terrorist entities” if they contract their services to TV stations classified as “terrorist” by the US Congress. It is also an outcome of discussions begun by the Arab League in 2008. “This proposal is disturbing, to say the least,” Reporters Without Borders said. “The danger is that this super-police could be used to censor all TV stations that criticise the region’s governments. It could eventually be turned into a formidable weapon against freedom of information.” This “Office for Arab Satellite Television” would be in charge of enforcing guidelines aimed at ensuring that Arab TV stations respect the ethical standards and moral values of Arab society as well as ensuring that they no longer serve as fronts or outlets for “terrorist” organisations. The original proposal for such an office was made in February 2008 by Arab League secretary-general Amr Moussa. It was recently revived by the Saudi government, which controls Arabsat, and the Egyptian government, which controls Nilesat. It seems that Riyadh and Cairo hope to ride a current that supports the reaffirmation of traditional values…. ..…” Reporters Sans Frontières
When Arab governments talk about "the ethical standards and moral values of Arab society" they mean the traditional political systems of absolute monarchy and life-long dictatorships. They certainly are not talking about elections, reducing corruption among the oligarchies, nor about freedom of faith and expression. These they do not consider part of "the ethical standards and moral values of Arab society". The internet is also on the agenda for censorship.
Now what would the US Congress say about such flagrant usurpation of their own H.R. 2278?
Cheers
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