Arab countries have agreed to allow authorities to punish satellite television channels considered to have insulted national or religious leaders and symbols.
Of the countries present at an Arab League meeting in Cairo, 21 signed the document calling on stations not to “damage social harmony, national unity, public order and traditional values”, with only Qatar, home of Al Jazeera, dissenting. Channels breaking the new guidelines could have their licenses withdrawn or suspended. Satellite channels in the Arab world are often privately financed, and frequently host appearances from government critics or discuss issues that would never appear on state-run stations.
