[Satellite News 02-19-10] Tensions ran high on day one of the Arabsat Broadcasters Forum held in Beirut, Lebanon, as a number of keynote speakers lashed out at perceived U.S. interference over which channels should be carried on Arabsat satellites.
    Interference issues came into sharp focus earlier in the year, when U.S. Congress was presented with a report that blasted satellite operators Arabsat and Nilesat for carrying channels that appeared to promote terrorism against the United States.
    “We all know that Arabsat is under external pressure. First, Arabsat is not responsible for Arab broadcasters using its own satellites. It is a holder of rights. It has a duty to respect contracts of rights holders. It should never be penalized because of these contracts,” said Lebanese Minister of Information Tarek Mitri at a Arabsat Broadcasters Forum panel session.
    The panelists reached a consensus that Lebanon is experiencing a high demand for television and radio broadcasting services, driven by government and market efforts to make Beirut a modern city for media. Arabsat, the panelists said, has strong Lebanese support at its disposal.
    Lebanese Minister of Public Works and Transportation Ghazi Al Aridi asserted that tensions with the United States impacts the creative processes of the Arab World. “This American decision has been faced with a lot of courage. I would like to say all the broadcasting agencies to give us more success. Despite the pressure exerted on us, we need to be free from any tensions. We have causes to defend. The creatives and innovators in our region deserve to have light shed on their achievements.”
    Egyptian journalist and forum panelist Hamdi Kandil also defended Arabsat. “Terrorism is the accusation made by the U.S. Congress against Arabsat. We are against U.S. policies here. It shows once again that the U.S. is denying the freedom it always said to support on principle. It is about the defending of our freedom of expression. The authorities in our countries always put restraints on our channels,” said Kandil.
    Mitri suggested that resolving the issue would require the efforts of both nations. “It is our national duty to respect our national laws and threat of sanctions. Such a threat does not serve mutual respect between different countries and religions. It would lead to more hatred between nations, as well as extremism and fundamentalism. We do object to terrorism. We need a joint effort to respect the ethics of countries. We want to have a dialogue with all parties.”