Special Feature: Arab Satellite Charter

  

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Arab Satellite Broadcasting Charter: 

 

Principles for Regulating Satellite Broadcasting Transmission 

In the Arab World 

 

Unofficial Translation 

 

February, 2008 
 

Preface 

 

Underscoring

 the objectives of the Common Arab Action outlined in the “The League of 

Arab States Charter”, the founding document that reflects the collective Arab will, 
 

Emanating

 from the League of Arab States Council documents and decisions at the 

summit level, outlining a comprehensive vision for the supreme interests of the Arab 
world and a common perspective for human development and modernization in all fields, 
 

Reflecting

 the text and spirit of “The Pledge and Solidarity Document’ and the 

“Development and Reform Path” statement issued by the League at the summit level in 
its ordinary 16

th

 session in Tunisia, 

 

Addressing

 the group of decisions and documents on modernization and development of 

the Common Arab Action, particularly those issued in Sharm el-Sheikh 2003, Tunisia 
2004, Algeria 2005, Khartoum 2006, Riyadh 2007, in addition to those stated by the 
Council of Arab Ministers of Information, in particular, the Arab media strategy to face 
challenges of the 21

st

 century; the Arab Media code of ethics; the Framework document 

for the integration of media and cultural policies in the Arab world and the international 
related charters, particularly those issued by the World Information Summit, 
 

In pursuance

 to the accelerating progress of media, its technology, facilities and services 

and the development of its capacities and potentials, in a bid to balance and develop 
equity among the different media technologies and functions to able to assume its 
responsibilities towards social modernization and development under a growing regional 
and international competitiveness, 
 

Being keen

 

on

 the sustainable progress of the satellite Arab media in terms of form and 

content, 
 

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Due to

 the generic

 

development and growing technological progress in the field of media 

and communication since the very first inception of satellite and transnational 
broadcasting, 
 

Attempting

 to provide the largest number possible of programmes and services to 

maintain the Arab identity and the Islamic culture and values and to highlight the Arab 
contribution to human civilization, 
 

Maintaining

 the media message that should be respected and developed by the Arab 

satellite channels, 
 

Interacting

 with the rest of the world, being part of it and wanting to promote 

understanding among different cultures, dialogue and communication among different 
civilizations, in accordance to the international and Arab related charters and documents, 
 

Wanting to

 provide the frameworks and principles required for organizing broadcasting 

and audio visual satellite reception in the Arab world, in congruence with related 
international developments and approach towards organizing satellite audio visual 
broadcasting and reception, 
 
The following principles shall be considered a framework for organizing satellite 
broadcasting in the Arab world: 
 
 

Draft 

 

Arab Satellite Broadcasting Charter: 

Principles for Regulating Satellite Broadcasting Transmission in the 

Arab World 

 
 

Article (1) 

This document aims to regulate broadcasting transmission, rebroadcasting transmission 
and reception in the Arab world, to ensure the right to express opinions, preserve Arab 
culture and promote cultural dialogue through satellite broadcasting. 
 

Article (2) 

The next terms shall have the following definitions and meanings in this document: 
 

•

 

Satellite transmission:

 All kinds of broadcasting including transmission; 

encrypted and/or non-encrypted broadcasting for all sounds, pictures and/or any 
other presentations, or signals or writing of any kind apart from personal 
communication through satellites for the purpose of interacting with the public or 
any other groups, target audience and general audiences. This also includes the 
individual’s right to choose by himself/herself the time and the location of 
receiving the transmission. 

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•

 

Satellite broadcast entity:

 It is also called the audio-visual entity and it means 

any natural or legal person or any other party that works in the field and being 
responsible for any transmission of audio visual satellite signals. Its structure shall 
fulfill the principles and provisions stated in the state law to establish such an 
entity. Any act of satellite broadcasting or preparations for such broadcasting shall 
be upon its own initiative and responsibility, including compiling, producing, 
purchasing, storing, scheduling the broadcast materials or any other materials that 
falls under the intellectual property rights and related legislations. 

•

 

Broadcasting service:

 Preparing or providing access to programmes, including 

any other audio visual material within the broadcasting definition. 

•

 

The programme

: Any materials prepared or transmitted through satellite 

broadcast equipment for the purpose of being received by the public or the 
general audiences. It includes all audio and/or visual materials prepared by 
broadcasting entities or produced by them. This broadcast includes audio-visual 
transmission or the availability of the satellite signals or any preparatory work for 
such satellite broadcast, including work of audio visual production, programmes 
of all kinds, audio visual materials resulting from compiling, storing, scheduling  
and retransmission in signals prior to the transmission of the programme.  The 
programme is  specifically what is transmitted or prepared materials valid for 
audio visual transmission such as cultural, educational and other related works 
and entertainment segments and all whatever artistic performance in programmes, 
programme series, entertainment and sports events and other materials, pictures, 
signals, sounds and writings prepared for transmission or being transmitted. 

•

 

Satellite retransmission:

 Satellite retransmission of broadcast without any 

change by satellite broadcast entities or stations. 

•

 

Satellite retransmission entity:

 It is also called the audio visual retransmission 

entity and it is meant to be any natural or legal entity or any party that fulfils the 
conditions of the state law and functions according to the principles outlined in 
this document and the state law, whenever it works in the field or is responsible 
for any act of retransmission according to the previous definition. 

•

 

The satellite retransmission service

: It is the audio visual rebroadcast or 

retransmission or availability according to the previous definition of satellite 
transmission. 

•

 

The satellite or transmission or satellite retransmission or television 
transmission license:

 It is the permission issued by the state authority for the 

applicant who seeks to establish a satellite broadcast transmission station or 
satellite rebroadcast transmission station. 

•

 

The licensee:

 Any natural or legal entity licensed by an Arab state authority to 

establish and operate broadcast transmission, rebroadcast transmission, 
distribution or sale of any of these services. 

•

 

The authorization:

 It is issued by an Arab authority in any Arab state for a 

natural or legal entity to authorize him to import, trade, manufacture, assemble or 
commercially deal in the devices and/or equipment used in satellite broadcast 
transmission or satellite rebroadcast transmission as well as receiving satellite 
broadcast transmission. 

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•

 

The authorized: 

Any natural or legal entity who receives an authorization to 

practice any activities related to importing, trading, manufacturing, assembling or 
commercially deal in the devices and/or equipment used in satellite broadcast 
transmission and in receiving the satellite encrypted transmission or non the 
encrypted transmission. 

•

 

Earth station

: Any fixed or mobile terrestrial facility established for the purpose 

of transmitting and receiving broadcast signals through satellites, apart from any 
business dealing with tracking, telemetry and control facilities. 

•

 

The wavelength:

 It is the frequency bandwidth occupied for the purpose of the 

broadcast of audiovisual materials. 

•

 

The channel

: It is the frequency bandwidth used by the licensee for the purpose 

of broadcast of audiovisual materials. 

•

 

Frequencies:

 In the field of satellite broadcasting, frequencies are allocated 

bandwidth from the spectrum for satellite broadcast of audio visual materials and 
are allocated according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). 

•

 

Encrypting:

 It is the communication technology control systems of the broadcast 

services used to make broadcasts accessible, banned or suspended. 

•

 

The state of origin:

 The state of origin is considered any member state in the 

League of Arab States that fulfils any of the following conditions: 

1.

 

The state offering the licence. 

2.

 

The state that hosts within its territory any of the administrative 
headquarters (the central administrative headquarter of the station) or the 
programme production headquarters (the headquarters of the 
administration that issues decisions related to programmes, production or 
broadcast) to the transmission or retransmission entities or to one of the 
offices of the transmission or retransmission entities where most of its 
employees work. If the two headquarters (the administrative and the 
programme production) are equal in numbers of persons, the state of 
origin shall be the state that has the central administrative headquarters on 
its territory. 

3.

 

The country that hosts within its territory the uplinking facilities for the 
satellite broadcast signals or the country that uses its facilities in the 
uplinking transmission for the satellite broadcasting, including media free 
zone cities. 

 

Article (3) 

These principles apply to the transmission entities in any of the member Arab states in 
the League of Arab States, as well as to any entity which practices any acts or activities 
related to satellite broadcast transmission or satellite rebroadcast transmission from or 
directed to the Arab states territories, providing that they have a representative office or 
offices in any of them. 
 
The principles also apply to all those who operate any work or work activities dealing 
with the offering satellite broadcast transmission or satellite rebroadcast transmission 
such as the transferring, the distribution and/or anything else if this work or work 
activities is located in any Arab country. 

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The satellite broadcast transmission or satellite rebroadcast transmission entities, or the 
service providers or any related satellite broadcast transmission entity or project 
established in any of the Arab territories as in the following cases: 

a.

 

If it has a terrestrial station in any of the Arab territories/countries. 

b.

 

If its legal entity has been established in any of the Arab countries or has its 
central headquarters in it. 

c.

 

If the decisions related to the content of the broadcast programme that is 
transmitted to be received by Arab audiences was taken from the headquarters 
that are established in any of the Arab countries. 

d.

 

If it hosts the largest number of employees who work in the headquarters that are 
established in any of the Arab countries. 

 

Article (4) 

The satellite broadcast transmission or rebroadcast transmission entities and service 
providers shall abide by the following general rules: 

1.

 

The publicity and transparency of information and the protection of the public 
right to receive accurate information. 

2.

 

Protection of free competition in the field of satellite broadcast transmission 
services. 

3.

 

Protection of the rights and interests of the audiences of the satellite broadcast 
transmission services. 

4.

 

The assurance of offering full-scale services to the public. 

5.

 

Assurance for not jeopardizing social peace, national unity, public order and 
general propriety. 

6.

 

To abide by the regulations of the satellite broadcast transmission and satellite 
rebroadcast transmission services and the norms established according to the 
principles here within and that stated in the Arab Media Code of Ethics. 

 

Article (5) 

The satellite broadcast transmission or rebroadcast transmission entities and service 
providers shall adopt the following rules and regulations in terms of the broadcast content 
that is transmitted: 

1.

 

It shall abide by freedom of expression as the cornerstone of Arab media, 
provided that such freedoms are practiced with full responsibility, for the 
protection of the supreme interests of Arab countries and the Arab world. The 
entities shall respect the rights of others and the commitment to media 
professionalism and ethics. 

2.

 

It shall adopt the principle of national sovereignty for each of the Arab states over 
its territory, to provide each Arab country member in the League of Arab States 
with the right to introduce other related detailed laws and regulations upon its 
own discretion. 

3.

 

It shall adopt the principle of the jurisdiction of the state of origin -- without 
violating the right of any person or entity to resort to the complaint and dispute 
resolution bodies organized by this document – with due respect to this principle 
that serves as a legal guarantee or safeguard for the satellite broadcast 

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transmission or rebroadcast transmission entities and service providers of all kinds 
and their operators, in addition to the fact that this principle ensures an arbitration 
body for the future of this service. 

4.

 

It shall adopt the principle of the freedom of receiving satellite broadcast 
transmission and satellite rebroadcast transmission, in other words, the Arab 
citizen shall have the right throughout the Arab territories of any member states of 
the League of Arab States to receive any kind of satellite television transmission 
coming out of the territories of the League of Arab States members without 
imposing unjustified restrictions on satellite broadcast retransmission and 
Television materials. 

5.

 

It shall ensure the Arab citizen’s right to view the major national, regional and 
international events including national figures or teams through a free to air or 
encrypted signals regardless of the ownership of these sports events rights, 
whether inclusive or exclusive. 

 

Article (6) 

The satellite broadcast transmission or rebroadcast transmission entities and service 
providers shall adopt the following rules and regulations in terms of the broadcast content 
that is transmitted:

 

1.

 

To respect human dignity and the rights of others in all the forms and the content 
of satellite television programmes and the services provided. 

2.

 

To respect individual privacy and to abstain from any violations in any way. 

3.

 

To avoid inciting hatred based on ethnic, colour, racial or religious discrimination. 

4.

 

To prohibit the satellite broadcasting transmissions material that would incite 
violence and terrorism and to differentiate between them and the resistance of 
occupation. 

5.

 

To refrain from describing crimes of all forms and kinds as an alluring act or 
portraying the perpetrators as heroes or justifying its motives. 

6.

 

To consider the professional ethical codes in conducting dialogues and to respect 
the right to respond for concerned parties. 

7.

 

To consider the rights of people with disabilities in receiving the media and 
information services that are suitable to them in order to promote their inclusion 
in their societies. 

8.

 

To protect children and youngsters from all that would abuse their physical, 
mental and ethical growth or would incite corruption of their manners or indicate 
and encourage wrongdoings and negative behaviour. 

9.

 

To comply with the religious and ethical values of Arab society and maintain its 
family ties and social integrity. 

10.

 

To refrain from insulting God, revealed religions, prophets, 

mazhabs

 (religious 

sects), and religious symbols. 

 

11.

 

To prevent from satellite broadcasting transmission and satellite broadcast 
programming any materials that would include obscene scenes or dialogue or 
pornography. 

12.

 

To eliminate from satellite broadcasting transmission or satellite retransmission 
any material that would promote smoking and/or alcohol drinking, but rather 
highlight their dangers. 

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Article (7) 

The satellite broadcast transmission or satellite rebroadcast transmission entities and/or 
service providers shall adopt the rules and regulations related to Arab identity in all 
broadcast programming, with particular reference to the following: 

1.

 

It shall be committed to maintaining Arab identity against the negative impact of 
powers of globalization and the orientations and the frame reference of the Arab 
world. 

2.

 

Enriching the character of the Arab citizen, promoting its national integrity and 
intellectual, cultural, social and political development and promoting the Arabic 
language. 

3.

 

Abstention from broadcasting anything that would contradict with or jeopardize 
Arab solidarity and promoting pan-Arab cooperation and integration. 

4.

 

Objectivity, honesty and respect for the dignity and national sovereignty of states 
and their people, and refraining from insulting their leaders or national and 
religious symbols. 

5.

 

Commitment to highlighting Arab talents and qualifications, particularly those 
acknowledged or awarded internationally, to prove that the Arab world is rich 
with creative and innovative human resources and to encourage youngsters to 
follow the successful Arab examples. 

6.

 

Obligation to using the latest technology available in broadcasting audiovisual 
programmes and materials to ensure the Arab nation’s right to spread its culture, 
civilization and attitudes towards the ongoing issues. 

7.

 

Assurance to honesty and accuracy of the broadcast data, information and news, 
using correct first hand information, investigating them in all forms of media and 
being committed to editing any wrong or incomplete information presented, 
while retaining the right of response for the person, the state or the agency 
beholder of such right. 

 

Article (8) 

Notwithstanding the right to establish thematic advertising channels that do not fall under 
the provisions of this article, the broadcast and rebroadcast agencies shall be committed 
in terms of its advertisements with the following: 

1.

 

Commitment to explicitly announce the beginning and end of any of the 
advertising slots and to clearly separate it from the program presented. 

2.

 

Obligation to inserting an interlude between each two-advertisement slot during 
the screening of films, programs, children’s programmes or news programmes. 

3.

 

Duty to clearly and frequently show the word ‘advertisement’ in the 
advertisements inserted in programmes. 

4.

 

Considering international standards in terms of the proportion of advertisements 
inserted versus the total time of broadcast per day. 

 

Article (9) 

The satellite broadcast transmission or the satellite rebroadcast retransmission entities 
and/or service providers shall adopt, in terms of its audiovisual broadcasts and its target 
and general audiences, all the rules, regulations, conditions and patterns set out by the 

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concerned parties, or pursuant to the domestic legislations in each of the Arab states 
concerned with issuing licences, with specific reference to the following: 

1.

 

To abide by a set schedule put forth by the committee responsible for monitoring 
programme content, that will be established in order to make sure that the time 
slots and any restrictions are observed in the programmes or any audiovisual 
materials or works of satellite broadcast that are not suitable for children. They 
shall be aired at a late hour when children are most likely not watching television. 

2.

 

To be committed to put a clear and proper rating for the programme before the 
beginning of the programme to describe the kind of following audio visual 
materials, the age group excluded from watching it, its suitability for the age 
group, and whether or not family guidance is advised and/or other ratings suitable 
for the programme content. 

 

Article (10) 

It is prohibited for any natural or legal entity to practice any satellite broadcast 
transmission or satellite rebroadcast transmission act to provide any related services 
without receiving a satellite broadcast transmission or satellite rebroadcast transmission 
licence from the proper authority in any of the member states in the League of Arab 
States. These entities must fulfil all the terms and conditions and recognize and adhere to 
the rules and regulations established herein and the domestic conditions set out by each 
Arab country for its territories and free zones. 
 

Article (11) 

The satellite broadcast transmission or the satellite rebroadcast transmission entities shall 
be entitled to the following rights, and shall not violate any other rights or procedures 
enforced by any other laws to maintain these rights or to prove any violation against them 
or termination to such violation: 
 
a. Rights related to transferring or availability:  
The satellite broadcast transmission or the satellite rebroadcast transmission entities enjoy 
the exclusive right to authorize, ban, connect, transfer or provide access to any of their 
audiovisual programmes to the target and/or general Arab audience by any means or 
form. Such exclusive rights extend to permitting, banning, connecting or

 

transferring or 

accessibility in public places whether in return of entry fees or free of charge. 
 
b. The right to alter or edit: 
The satellite broadcast transmission or the satellite rebroadcast transmission entities shall 
be entitled to the exclusive right of authorizing or banning the altering of their 
audiovisual programmes or editing them in any way or form, either directly or indirectly. 
Such rights extend to cases of altering or editing for purposes other than those previously 
declared for such activities. 
 
c. Distribution right: 
The satellite broadcast transmission or the satellite rebroadcast transmission entities shall 
be entitled to the exclusive right of authorizing or banning imports or exports or 

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distribution of the original copies or other copies from the audiovisual fixed programmes 
to the target and/or general audiences. 
 
d. The right to transmission upon alteration: 
The satellite broadcast transmission or the satellite rebroadcast transmission entities shall 
be entitled to the exclusive right of authorizing or banning any rebroadcast or 
transmission or their audiovisual programmes upon altering them in any way or form. 
 
e. The right to make the altered audiovisual programmes accessible: 
The satellite broadcast transmission or the satellite rebroadcast transmission entities shall 
be entitled to the exclusive right of authorizing or banning the availability or any of its 
programmes to the public, upon alteration of these programmes by any means possible. 
Such rights include the public’s right to access these programmes in the place and time of 
their choice. 
 
f. The right of use

 

 

The satellite broadcast transmission or the satellite rebroadcast transmission entities shall 
be entitled to the exclusive right of permitting or banning any use of its audiovisual or 
live or recorded programmes in any form or way. 

 
Article (12) 

The satellite broadcast transmission or the satellite-rebroadcast transmission entities shall 
respect in the member states the principles and frameworks herein and shall work on 
adopting and enforcing them. 
 

Article (13) 

Members of the League of the Arab States shall adopt in their domestic legislations all 
necessary measures to fix any violation by the parties referred to in the subject document 
according to the principles herein, in particular the satellite broadcast transmission or the 
satellite rebroadcast transmission and related service providers on their territories, even if 
they operate through special status or free zones with special legislation or any other 
legislations. 
 
The following acts are considered violations to the subject document: 

1.

 

Any party that practices the satellite broadcast transmission or the satellite 
rebroadcast transmission and/or related service providers without a licence from 
the proper authority in accordance to the principles stated in this document shall 
be subject to seizure of all the equipment and machines used, removing the traces 
of such violation and doubling the sanction in case it is repeated. 

2.

 

Any party licenced to practice any of the activities stated in this document, 
including satellite broadcast, rebroadcast and related service providers that 
violates the principles, standards, regulations or conditions herein, or any others 
set out by the enforcement agencies. 

3.

 

In all cases, if the concerned authority in the member state that issued the licence 
or was informed of any violation to the provisions of the domestic law or those 

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stated herein, it has the right to withdraw the licence or not to renew it for a 
certain period according to its own discretion.