Iraq council may ban Arab networks

23 September 2003
The US-appointed interim governing council on 23 September announced that it was going to take 'tough and decisive measures' against certain Arabic media outlets, particularly Doha-based satellite channel Al-Jazeera and Dubai-based television channel Al-Arabiya.

The two news channels have in recent weeks angered Iraqi officials by broadcasting footage of masked men calling for attacks against the coalition forces in the country. However, the move will require the approval of Coalition Provisional Authority chief administrator Paul Bremer, who has not spoken of a ban.

Both Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabiya say that they have not received any request to leave Iraq. 'We have not been advised officially of such a decision, our office is still open, our people are still working,' says Al-Jazeera spokesman Jihad Ballout. 'It is business as usual.' (MEED 15:9:03)

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