Cabinet: Banning Syrian Satellite Channels on Nilesat and Arabsat Satellites
is a Violation of the Freedom of Information
Jun 05, 2012
http://www.sana.sy/eng/21/2012/06/05/423622.htm

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – The Syrian Cabinet considered that the Arab League
decision on banning the Syrian satellite channels on Nilesat and Arabsat
satellites as a violation of the freedom of information and satellite
broadcasting laws.

During a session held Tuesday, the Cabinet pointed out that the decision
does not relate to the media codes of ethics as well.

The Cabinet asked the Ministry of Information to take the administrative and
legal measures against Nilesat and Arabsat administrations and demands them
not to respond to political dictations.

In a statement to the press after the meeting, Information Meeting Dr. Adnan
Mahmoud said that the Syrian government views the Arab League Council's
decision as part of the media war against Syria, and that it constitutes a
blatant and unprecedented violation of freedom of press and ethics.

Mahmoud said that the decision seeks to conceal the truth of what is
happening in Syria from the local and international public opinion for the
sake of terrorist channels that lie and fabricate and twist facts, and that
this decision was prompted by the Syrian channels' unveiling of the roles of
certain Arab Gulf countries such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia in supporting
terrorism.

The Minister said that the management of Arabsat and Nilesat are bound by
the laws of satellite broadcasting and the contracts signed with his
ministry, noting that Syria was a founding member of Arabsat which is owned
by the Arab League's member countries.

He stressed that the Arab League's decision is non-binding and illegal,
adding that the government has been informed of the options, alternatives
and steps to ensure the continuing satellite broadcast of all Syrian
channels, saying that alternatives are already available and others have
been reserved.

Mahmoud concluded by saying that the decision was made by Gulf countries
well-known for supporting terrorism in Syria, noting that this is the first
time in the history of journalism when terrorists become reports; committing
crimes and broadcasting them then accusing the security forces of committing
them.

F.Allafi/al-Ibrahim / H. Sabbagh