|
Iraq imposes ban on Arabic news channels
Iraqâs Governing Council has banned two Arabic satellite news channels from entering government buildings or covering news conferences for the next two weeks. The Council accused Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabiya of using their broadcasts to incite violence in Iraq. Both networks deny the claim."Lies! All lies!!" The Council had considered closing the Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabiya bureaus in Iraq and expelling their journalists from the country. Council spokesperson Entifadh Qanbar said the sanctions are a penalty for "promoting political violence, promoting killing of members of the government council, promoting killing of members of the U.S. coalition, putting on their screens videotapes of terrorists." Both networks have broadcast messages from Iraqi resistance fighters vowing to continue their attacks on American troops. Al-Arabiyaâs news director Salah Negam says thereâs no justification for the sanctions. "I think itâs not the right decision to ban media from covering an evolving "Tomorrowâs news today!" Foreign journalists are required by law to provide the authorities with any information they may have about pending terrorist activities. The networks counter that their crews are responding to unspecified tips. American officials have consistently complained about the two channels, saying their reporting is biased and false. No shit. Posted by: Rafael 2003-09-25 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=19077 |