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Barred television channels hopeful of solution

DUBAI: Negotiations between the Dubai media authorities and representatives of two Pakistani channels whose news operations have been barred appear to be making some headway.

Geo TV anchor Shahid Masood expressed cautious optimism that the ongoing talks could yield a satisfactory result. “I am hopeful about our talks. At this moment, I can say that there is 50-50 chance that the situation might be normalised soon,” he told The Hindu.

Apart from Geo TV, news operations of ARY One World — another Pakistani channel headquartered in Dubai were abruptly stopped on midnight Friday, UAE time.

Geo TV said on its website that Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf had “put tremendous pressure to silence a media outlet which had refused to bow down to his dictates.”

A senior official from the UAE government confirmed that talks with representatives of the channels had commenced.

Sources in the networks said that at the moment, representatives of Dubai media city, from where the two channels had been operating, were involved in the dialogue.

On Friday, Director General of the National Media Council, Ibrahim Al-Abed, linked the closure of the two channels to UAE’s foreign policy. Mr. Al -Abed pointed out that “the UAE has been an advocate of international law and an active contributor to peace and stability in the region.”

He added, “In the light of the current sensitive state of affairs in Pakistan, the UAE can only assume its responsibility and maintain its neutrality.”

Dr. Masood pointed out that since there was a “political component” that led to the shutdown, it is likely that discussions might involve representatives of the UAE Federal government before the problem can be resolved. So far, talks have revolved around the reasons which resulted in the closure, the sources said.

Besides, representatives of the channels are seeking a clearer enunciation of the “ground rules” which they need to follow in their broadcasts, so that they can carry out their operations uninterrupted in the future.

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