BEIRUT: Satellite communications operator Arabsat has stopped broadcasting Lebanons al-Manar television channel, with the Beirut-based station condemning the move as an attempt to stifle the voice in the face of oppression.
In a statement published on its website on Friday, al-Manar, which is owned by Hezbollah, said the Arab Satellite Communications Organization (ASCO) blocked the broadcast of the news channel via the Arabsat satellites.
In the latest step in the policy of muzzling voices the Arabsat company has blocked the al-Manar channel, after the company’s offices were moved from Lebanon to Jordan, the TV station said.
The statement also said al-Manar is the voice of all the Arabs and Muslims, vowing to continue its coverage of the developments in the region and the entire Muslim world.
The television channel also emphasized that it will keep up its support for the Palestinian cause, adding that Arabsats move cannot stop al-Manar from conveying the resistances voice in face of oppression.
The Lebanese government says it has not been informed of Arabsats decision, but it will follow up on the issue through judicial channels.
In a similar move last month, the Lebanese al-Mayadeen television channel was also stopped being broadcast via Riyadh-based Arabsat after a guest criticized Saudi Arabias handling of a tragic crush in Mina, near Mecca, during Hajj rituals in late September.
Al-Mayadeens Director Ghassan bin Jaddou referred to the channels coverage of news concerning Palestinian resistance as well as the Saudi war on Yemen as other reasons why pressure was exerted on al-Mayadeen, slamming Arabsats move as a violation of freedom of speech and the rights of media.
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