UAE

UAE, handed Arab League Secretary Notes on the draft document on principles and frames of regulating Radio- TV broadcast through satellites in the Arab region, in which, Emirates considered the basic elements of the document "constitutes the base it will be setup upon after it ratified whether in political, social, cultural, vocational, and ethical fields", and demanded to change the title "goals" or to put it in sequence.

UAE, handed over the Arab League Secretary Notes on the draft document on principles and frames of regulating Radio- TV broadcast through satellites in the Arab region, in which, Emirates considered the basic elements of the document "constitutes the base it will be established upon after it is ratified whether in political, social, cultural, vocational, and ethical fields", and demanded to change the title "goals" or to put it in sequence.

It also demanded:

- To assure defining satellite broadcast, whether it involves data flow of Radio- TV programs of internet via satellite system or not, taking into consideration that internet have become to constitute developing environment within media merging taking place in the world.

-The accuracy in determining and defining terms, as it will be good to use English synonyms in front of every term due to inaccuracy in defining terms in the main draft.

UAE questioned about origin state in the Arab document draft for principles of satellite broadcast, where it questioned about: "Dose it mean the state embraces main media offices of satellite channels based in other state is the origin state?, Is it possible to be two origin states? "Also questioned": Is it possible to consider UAE origin state for all broadcast stations that broadcast on its territories in media zones, and if the document items will be applied on satellite channels, such as Al Hurra or CNN or not?

Emirates mentioned the following basic notes on the draft:

- There are no, explicit, items that refer to the negative role of satellites in ruining relations between states and nations and in spreading fanaticism and superstitious.

- There is ambiguity about "transparency of information and protection of audience right to access to sound information" and called upon fragmenting the sentence, the first concerning accuracy of information, the second the right of audience. Emirates questioned about the right of society in preserving national and cultural identity, individuals' right in privacy and cultural progress in social context of privacy, which doesn't mentioned in Arab Document draft.

- It called to ensure persevering Arabic language as nursing of Arab culture, as well as social liability of satellites.

It considered that there is more exaggeration about the reservation on advertisements and it is important to encourage the phenomenon because it promotes resources of advertising institutions.

 It reserved on the commitments of the licensee in item no. 16 of the document only related to services and commercial aspect not the cultural and social side.

It also, requested to handle some gaps and to deal with it through laying down applicable mechanism characterized with clarity through establishing follow-up board or authority working within Arab League.

Paying attention to the sovereignty of Arab State members in the league, it's right to enact legislations and regulations that serve its national interests regarding satellite broadcast.

Paying due concern to the following principles that regulate broadcast content which are: Justice, right to response, accuracy, integrity in news program, privacy, damage and abuse, sexual content and behavior, nudity, suicide and self abuse, disdain of religions, incitement on terrorism and violence, crimes and anti-social behavior, affairs, sorcery, protection of minority, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, minors subscription in programs, aggressive language, interactive services, advertisements and sponsorships.

Emirates stressed on that text must, directly, involves the role of society with all its civil, national, and governmental classes, not to be limited to government, in the process of determining granting license.

As well as, the exist of direct texts about intellectual property for program producers of both private and public sectors, and urging stations to develop its cadres.

It also mentioned that text must stipulate not to associate foreign bodies regarding finance and direction, in order not to be publicity forums for other bodies. In addition, to the need of Arab states to develop and upgrade its media policy and its regulative frames of satellite broadcast.

Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Nasser JUDEH, Minister of State for Media Affairs & Communication described the document as sophisticated vocational scrutiny for regulating satellite broadcast in the Arab region and first step towards carrying out honor charter for regulating frame and content of satellite and electronic work. In his word, during the session meeting, he adds that….. We are in Jordan support the declaration of this Document as being agreement point among us to put moral framework for this growing sector.

KSA  

Dr. Iyad bin Amin MADANI, Saudi Minister of Culture & Information, said that Arab World was in urgent need for this Document, and KSA was among those who first called for its existence. There were Arab states about to lay down media relevant laws, so we entrusted to our brothers in the Arab League and Arab Media Permanent Committee- that includes deputies of Information Ministers in Arab States- the search mission about proposed mechanism for this principles as not to be mere noble phrases without clear mechanism for implementation, so this is significant stage in Arab Information History.

ARE

Anas El Fiky, Egyptian Minister of Information, stressed on the importance of this Document that involves principles and regulations of Satellite, Electronic Arab Media, and Radio-TV reception through satellites in the region, in order to confront any disadvantages of media work, attain commitment of Arab Media Honor Charter, and taking into account the part concerning the implementation mechanism, after being adopted by ministers with assurance on the principle of state authority. The document is considered binding as soon as it ratified by Arab Information Ministers, indicating that the Egyptian Ministry of Information will direct the Document, immediately, to Media Free Zones' Board, as well as Nile sat Management Board to be the governing framework of its work, as the Document will be attached for contracts held with satellite channels and hire contracts with Media Production Cities' Studios.

 Qatar

Muhammad Al-Malky - Qatar delegate chairman- Qatarian Deputy in LAS, opposed the document saying " it is not for political, but its technical stance to provide opportunity for legislative bodies to study the document, in terms of agreement with domestic legislations, then, Qatar will notify Arab league Secretary with its stance from the Document at the right time.