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17 March 2005, 22:28 GMT
Paris, Washington Agree to Silence Islamic Voices of Freedom
25/12/2004 14:18:00
Finally, Paris and Washington have found something to agree on, that is to further oppress and strangle Arab and Islamic media outlets at the era of globalization.
France's Council of State (CSA), the country's highest administrative court, has ordered the satellite company Eutelsat to stop broadcasts of Al-Manar television, allegedly linked to the Lebanese political party and militant Shiite Muslim group Hezbollah.
Arab media groups, intellectuals and journalists have condemned the French move and called it a part of the over all oppression of Arabs and Muslims.
Al-Manar television blasted a decision by a French court to ban its EU broadcasts as a "dangerous precedent." The move is "an affront to freedom of expression, a denial of the principles that France has always backed and a dangerous precedent in France's attitude toward Arab media," Al-Manar said in a statement.
Al-Manar said the decision had been made "at Israel's declared instigation and following a political campaign organized by the Zionist lobby in France."
"To stop Al-Manar broadcasts and to silence its voice has been triggered by the fact that it is exposing the truth about the Arab-Israeli conflict and the fact that it carries the voice of resistance against occupation," it said.
The bans on the broadcasts within the European Union had to be implemented within 48 hours, the court said after ruling that the channel had violated laws against inciting racial hatred.
In another seemingly coordinated move with the French government, Washington put Al-Manar TV on a list of terror organizations and as a result it lost its satellite feed last Saturday.
"We are sorry to lose our audience in France and America. We will work to change that. Meanwhile, we still have our faithful viewers elsewhere," said Hassan Fadlallah, Al-Manar's news director.
Fadlallah told The Associated Press, "This is a blatant attack on press freedoms and an exercise in intellectual terrorism against the voices that are opposed to U.S. and Israeli policies. It is part of an organized Israeli campaign against Al-Manar to keep it from transmitting the facts of the Arab-Israeli struggle."
Lebanese authorities have threatened to reciprocate against French channels for the ban. Lebanon considers Hezbollah - a militant Shiite Muslim group high on the U.S. list of terrorist organizations - to be a legitimate resistance organization fighting Israeli occupation.
Al-Manar is broadcast in Europe via Paris-based Eutelsat as part of a package of nine channels put out by Saudi-based Arabsat.
France's broadcast regulator, the Higher Audiovisual Council (CSA) had granted a license to the channel on Nov 19 on condition it respect French laws prohibiting racist comment.
The French government backed a ban on Al-Manar, which had been the target of criticism from Jewish groups in France.
Al-Manar, the self-proclaimed "Channel of Resistance and Liberation" and “The Channel of Arabs and Muslims”, airs documentaries, dramas, political talk and health shows. It is considered one of the best channels as it provides useful service and education to its viewers.
Some of its entertainment programs are centered on "the struggle" against Israeli occupation of Palestine, with some of its game shows featuring questions on the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Youssef Fawaz, a 42-year-old grocer, said he watches Al-Manar and will continue to do so "because it speaks for all Arab people."
He rejected accusations that Al-Manar incites violence, saying the station "shows facts on the grounds. They (Americans) are the violent ones, they are the terrorists.
Look what they've done to Iraq." The station is widely seen in the Palestinian territories for its interviews and quick coverage of events affecting Palestinians.
It is also popular with Shiite Muslims, believed to be the largest group in Lebanon. "Al-Manar is committed to the truth, and the Americans are afraid of the truth reaching the public there," said Ali Sharefeddine, a Lebanese student.
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