Arab countries have always failed to agree on any cooperation policies, any reform agendas, any economic integration policies, and any international agenda. It is just surprising how they managed, with no extensive meetings or discussions, on pressing the already limited freedoms. Not to mention the freedom of speech and expression, the Arab ministers of communication, agreed to issue a charter for satellite TV in a major setback, to also restrict freedom of “listening”.
Arab Ministers met in Cairo on February 12, 2008 at the request of Egypt, and with the strong support of Saudi Arabia. The final document adopted by ALL member states of the Arab League (with the exception of Qatar and Lebanon) requires Satellite TV broadcasting in the region to:
- Refrain to offend the leaders or national and religious symbols in the Arab world
- Abstain from damaging social harmony, national unity, public order or traditional values (I guess it means here the relation between the citizens and government which is interpreted wrongly in Islam as (Al Raee wa Al Raeya
- Conform with the religious and ethical values of Arab society and take account of its family structure (assuming that everybody believes in one religion)
- Refrain from broadcasting anything which calls into question God, the monotheistic religions, the prophets, sects or symbols of the various religious communities, and
- Protect Arab identity from the harmful effects of globalization (Doesn’t this contradict with the economic reform agendas most countries pretend to adopt?)
The provisions, if implemented, will inevitably mute and hinder the only avenue for free expression in the region: satellite TV. They stand in direct contradiction with Article 32 of the Arab Charter on Human Rights which guarantees the right to information and freedom of expression and which was adopted by the Council of Ministers of the League of Arab States in 2004. The provisions also violate article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ratified by many governments in the region.
Egypt Minister of Communication defended this charter yesterday in a talk show saying that with the “increase in the role of the private sector and the diminishing role of the state owned TV channels, governments need to find a way to regulate the sector”. He also noted that 80% of the Arab satellite channels are currently owned by the private sector.
Would the major international policy players take action against this decision? Hopefully…
Published Date: February 15, 2008