(CPJ/IFEX) – CPJ is strongly protesting the closure of the Qatar-based television station, Al-Jazeera. CPJ has learned that, on 19 June 1999, the Minister of Information, Youssef Muhammad al-Samait issued a decree ordering the shut down of Al-Jazeera’s Kuwait office and prohibiting the station from reporting from Kuwait because of alleged violations of professional ethics. […]
(CPJ/IFEX) – CPJ is strongly protesting the closure of the Qatar-based
television station, Al-Jazeera.
CPJ has learned that, on 19 June 1999, the Minister of Information, Youssef
Muhammad al-Samait issued a decree ordering the shut down of Al-Jazeera’s
Kuwait office and prohibiting the station from reporting from Kuwait because
of alleged violations of professional ethics. The Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)
reported on Saturday, 19 June, that the “closure decision stipulated that
any media activity or any other activity by [Al-Jazeera] would not be
allowed in the State of Kuwait and that the journalistic and media work
permits of all those working at the Al-Jazeera office in Kuwait or those who
cooperate with it had been revoked.”
The ban comes in response to the station’s airing of a live program on
women’s rights earlier this month titled “Sharia and Life”. During the
program, a viewer identifying himself as an Iraqi national phoned in and
strongly criticized Kuwait’s emir Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmed al-Sabah on the air.
According to KUNA, the minister of information said that the decision to
impose the ban against Al-Jazeera was the result of its “audacity” in
attacking the emir and the state of Kuwait.
According to CPJ, a free press is predicated on the ability of journalists
to disseminate a diversity of views and opinions, even if they are critical
of state policies or government officials. CPJ views the banning of
Al-Jazeera as a flagrant violation of the right to free expression
guaranteed under international law.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the minister of information:
violation of the right to free expression guaranteed under international law
guarantees journalists the right to “seek, receive, and impart information
and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers”
Jazeera
and ensure that journalists working with the station be allowed to carry out
their professional duties without interference from the state
Appeals To
His Excellency Youssef Muhammad al-Samait
Minister of Information
c/o His Excellency Ambassador Muhammad al-Sabah
Embassy of the State of Kuwait
2940 Tilden Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20008
Fax: +202 966 0517
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
