Lebanon Calls for Unified TV Network to Protect Local Channels

Local Editor

Lebanese officials Monday called for a unified broadcasting network in the country to protect local channels following the recent decisions by regional satellite providers to drop al-Manar over apparent political disputes.

"We must work on having one broadcasting network for all Lebanese television stations... A feature Lebanon enjoys is the freedom of its media, and we refuse to give this freedom up under any pretext," head of Parliament's Telecommunications and Media Committee MP Hasan Fadlallah said.

He spoke during a joint press conference with Information Minister Ramzi Joreige at Parliament, after holding a meeting to discuss Egyptian Nilesat's decision last week to stop carrying Al-Manar to its subscribers for "provoking sectarian strife."

Saudi-based satellite provider Arabsat had stopped broadcasting al-Manar in December, weeks after it also stopped broadcasting al-Mayadeen TV which is headquartered in Beirut.

Fadlallah denied the claims of provoking sectarian strife.

"Al-Manar never incites any sectarian hatred, it calls for unity and resistance against Zionism and terrorism in the region," he said, adding the channel did not breach the law in any way.

"Lebanese channels are subject to the Lebanese law only, and the way they are being targeted is very dangerous," Fadlallah added, claiming Nilesat's decision itself was outside legal framework and was politically motivated.
Greige affirmed Fadlallah's comments about the sovereignty of Lebanese media and its abidance to Lebanese law only.

Nilesat last week also said that its contract with the Lebanese government signed last year had ended, and thus would stop operating in Lebanon. However, that decision has been postponed.

"I will try to renew Nilesat's license in the next Cabinet session so it can resume transmission from Jouret al-Ballout [the operator's Lebanon headquarters]. We must also work with the [Lebanese] private sector in implementing suggested changes to the sector," Greige said.

"Lebanon is blessed with the freedom of media, which isn't available in many neighboring countries," he added.
Nilesat's move appears to be in line with recent Gulf measures to punish Lebanon over policies that have angered Riyadh.

The government of Egypt is backed by Saudi Arabia, and the Nilesat decision was announced on the eve of a visit by Saudi King Salman to Cairo.

Saudi-owned al-Arabiya TV also abruptly shut its offices in Beirut on April 1 and laid off the local staff over "security reasons." The channel had informed its 27 employees of the decision to cease operations on the day without prior notice.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team