Iraq Closes Down (satellite network) Al-Arabiya in Baghdad

[sabra]

http://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/ap/2006/09/07/ap3000323.html

Iraq Closes Down Al-Arabiya in Baghdad

The Iraqi government on Thursday ordered Arabic satellite network Al-Arabiya to shut down its Baghdad operations for one month, state television reported. Al-Arabiya said Iraqi police later arrived at its offices to enforce the order.

The other pan-Arab satellite network, Al-Jazeera, had its office in the capital closed two years ago.

Al-Arabiya, which is based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, at first said its headquarters had not yet been informed of a ban, but later said on live television that police had arrived at its Baghdad offices to close its operations down.

...

A statement by al-Maliki's office cited news reports that "capitalize on the footage of victims of terrorist attacks." He called on media outlets to "respect the dignity of human beings and not to fall in the trap set up by terrorist groups who want to petrify the Iraqi people."

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

1. Looks like Freedom's on the march! Bush Style.

I have a feeling that the White House would love to do the same here.

[HereSince1628]

2. We're bringing Freedom, Democracy, and Gov't censorship to the ME

Good Job. When the Iraqis will learn the meaning of liberty and shower us with flowers and name streets and parks for W.

[maddezmom]

3. Iraqi government confirms shut down of Arabic satellite channel

BAGHDAD (AFP) - The Iraqi government confirmed that it has decided to close the Baghdad offices of the Arab satellite channel Al-Arabiya for a month because it was inciting "sectarian violence."

Thursday's decision was condemned by the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists, which noted that the Iraqi government also continues to enforce a two-year-old ban on Arabic satellite channel Al-Jazeera.

According to an Iraqi government statement, the decision came after July's "final warning to Al-Arabiya in hopes they will change their way of presenting coverage" which it said "promoted sectarianism and violence".

Observers at Thursday's parliament session said the channel's coverage of the submission of a draft law on forming autonomous regions that could further divide up the country had in particular incensed authorities.

more:http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060908/wl_mideast_afp/iraqmediatelevision_060908074457

[magellan]

4. Still waiting to learn how Iraqis are better off now. (nt)