Statement of Broadcasting via Arabsat Satellites

Arabsat, as a leading satellite operator in the region, works  under  the umbrella of Arab League and  is owned by all Arab countries, would like to stress that it doesn't interfere in the content  of the Broadcasted material via its satellites. Arabsat  is an Arabic satellite operator  seeking  always  to achieve  its main goal,  which is to connect  the Arab World  with its unique cultural &  religious diversity and to deliver  its message accurately and swiftly  to the world through Sate of Art  Satellite Broadcasting & telecommunications  technology. 

Hereby Arabsat would like to state the following: 

First: The Commercial contract signed  between  Arabsat  and any customer is considered as the legal Reference and the basis that governs the relationship between the two parties and to rely on its terms in case of  any legal dispute, according to what is stated in its terms and already approved by both parties. 

Second: Both of Al-Mayadeen & Al-Manar  channels have breached the terms of their contracts and violated the spirit of the Honor Charter of the Arab Media, which clearly and explicitly forbids the broadcast of  any Programs that contravene viewers’ rights and privacies, instigate sectarian conflicts, violence, differences, social disorder that  disturb tranquility, disunite viewers,  or degrade and demean any of  the political and religious figures in countries of  the footprint of the satellite. 

Third: As a result of such a serious breach of  the legal contact terms by Al-Mayadeen & Al-Manar, Arabsat has legally notified the two channels with their contracts termination separately and in different dates based on the provisions of the contract. 

Fourth: As for  moving the  Lebanese bouquet   outside  Lebanon, it was a purely commercial decision that has been taken long before and has nothing to do with Al-Mayadeen & Al-Manar case, the decision is based on an economic feasibility study carried out by Arabsat to assess whether to continue or not with the broadcast of the Lebanese Bouquet from inside Lebanon due to the limited number of channels currently broadcasted from there. 

Arabsat released this statement in order to clarify the operational and the legal issues concerned its policies and regulations in regards to broadcasting via its satellite, that might be unknown to the public.   Arabsat also seize the opportunity to address all Mass Media to ensure  accuracy and credibility in dealing with any broadcast issues related to Arabsat Satellites.