Dubai could allow Pakistan TV channels to resume broadcasts
DUBAI: Media authorities in Dubai say they are considering whether to allow two leading private Pakistani news channels to resume broadcasting after shutting them down the day before.
“We are in contact with them… to see if there is a possibility to (allow them to) resume” broadcasting, Amina Rustamani, head of Dubai’s media watchdog said.
Ms Rustamani said the channels had long been operating out of Dubai Media City, a free zone where scores of regional and international news organizations are based. She said it was necessary to explain to the two channels the policy of the United Arab Emirates, of which Dubai is part, and guidelines applying to media operating out of the free zone, but she declined to go into details of the criteria they would have to abide by in order to resume broadcasting.
Meanwhile, Dubai Media City has said that Pakistani news channels have been respected business partners in the Dubai Media City for the last several years and relationship with them has been strong and friendly.
”We are in discussion with them with regards to the broadcast of their news components and we are confident we will resolve this matter in the best possible way to protect their interests and those of the UAE,” Dubai Media City said here on Saturday in a statement issued by the UAE embassy in Islamabad.
It said, “As an entity within the UAE, Dubai Media City would also observe the broad principles of the country’s foreign policy and prevent the broadcast of news and material that would undermine those principles.”
Meanwhile, the UAE Government in a statement said that it always played a positive and constructive role in international affairs, and neutrality has been a key principle of its foreign policy.
It said, ”As such the UAE has always been an advocate of international law and an active contributor to peace and stability in the region. In light of the current sensitive state of affairs in Pakistan, the UAE can only assume its responsibility and maintain its neutrality.”
Source: The News
Date:11/18/2007
” 
” 
” 
” 
