Musharraf, Army, and Islamist parties big losers
Aijaz Ahmad: Rise of secular urban forces in Pakistan; US not controlling the process view

Musharraf's party defeated
Beena Sarwar: Reporting from Pakistan on rout of Musharraf's party view
------------------------------------------

IFEX COMMUNIQUÉ VOL 17 NO 07 19 FEBRUARY 2008

The "IFEX Communiqué" is the weekly newsletter of the International Freedom
of Expression eXchange (IFEX), a global network of 81 organisations working
to defend and promote the right to free expression. IFEX is managed by
Canadian Journalists for Free Expression ( http://www.cjfe.org ).

MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA
3. ARAB SATELLITE CHARTER MAJOR SETBACK TO PRESS FREEDOM IN REGION, SAY
IFEX MEMBERS
A new Arab "charter" for satellite TV will restrict independent news and
information for people across the Middle East and North Africa, say the
Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS), the Arabic Network for
Human Rights Information (HRInfo), ARTICLE 19 and other IFEX members and
partners.
"Principles for Organising Satellite TV in the Arab World", a non-binding
charter, was adopted last week by all member states of the Arab League with
the exception of Qatar and Lebanon. It requires satellite TV broadcasting
not to offend leaders in the Arab world, damage "social peace and national
unity and public order," or call into question God or the monotheistic
religions.
Programmes should also conform to the religious and ethical values of Arab
society, and protect Arab identity from the harmful effects of
globalisation.
The charter urges member states to introduce all necessary measures in
their national legislations to ensure that the document's principles are
fully implemented. And if media groups do not adhere to the principles,
they can have their licences suspended, withdrawn or not renewed, and even
have their equipment confiscated, say the IFEX members.
"The provisions, if implemented, will inevitably mute and hinder the only
avenue for free expression in the region: satellite TV," says ARTICLE 19,
pointing out that they directly contradict international and regional
covenants that guarantee the right to information and freedom of
expression, including Article 32 of the Arab Charter on Human Rights.
The meeting was convened in Cairo on 12 February by information ministers
from the different Arab countries, at the request of Egypt and Saudi Arabia
- countries with grave press freedom situations, CIHRS and HRInfo note.
Lebanon was the only state to oppose the document. Qatar, home of Al
Jazeera, abstained from voting.
--------------------------------------------