The Syrian Cabinet: Banning Syrian Satellite Channels on Nilesat and Arabsat Satellites is a Violation of the Freedom of Information

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.