TAG | Arab satellite TV charter sparks freedom of speech protests |
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| by Stan Beer | |
| Saturday, 16 February 2008 | |
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* not to offend the leaders or national and religious symbols in the Arab world; * not to damage social harmony, national unity, public order or traditional values; * to conform with the religious and ethical values of Arab society and take account of its family structure; * to refrain from broadcasting anything which calls into question God, the monotheistic-religions, the prophets, sects or symbols of the various religious communities; and * to protect Arab identity from the harmful effects of globalisation. Cairo-based Arab politics and culture website, The Arabist, has published statements from Qatar-based Al Jazeera condemning the Arab satellite TV charter as "a risk to the freedom of expression in the Arab world." Wadah Khanfar, Director General of the Al Jazeera Network stated that, “Any code of ethics or governance for journalistic practices should emerge, and be governed, from within the profession and not be imposed externally by political institutions. Where codes of ethics are violated and contraventions of journalistic practice occur, for defamation of character or otherwise, there should be independent legal processes to resolve these issues. The region has seen the recent emergence of many media institutions and every attempt should be made not to hamper, but to facilitate, an environment to encourage their independence and freedom.” |
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