CAIRO – After the enforced closure of the Al-Jazeera Mubasher satellite channel based on the claim that it was operating without a license and distorting the image of Egypt, the Administrative Court issued a ruling, rejecting the call of suspending the channel's broadcast on Nilesat. This channel started during the January 25 revolution and presented an honest image of the developments in Tahrir Square, as the court stated in its justification of the ruling. The ruling also affirmed that the channel was committed to its contract with the Egyptian satellite company and there was no evidence whatsoever that it had violated restrictions and principles of direct satellite broadcasting. "The channel has fulfilled its media duty without a single violation," said the court. It affirmed that the Egyptian people would never forget the role Al-Jazeera Mubasher played in supporting the revolution by broadcasting news and events with full courage and honesty, at a time when State TV was fooling people and collaborating with the corrupt regime to destroy the revolution. Such a ruling will support not only A-Jazeera Mubasher, but also all other satellite channels and free media outlets. It also conveys a clear message of judicial support for press freedom and non-acceptance of steps taken by any authority to curb this freedom in post-revolution Egypt. Instead of continuing to accuse Arab or other satellite channels of distorting the image of Egypt when they broadcast certain events accurately and honestly, it would be better for the official media and private Egyptian channels to follow their example and cope with the developments and needs of the new stage so as to enjoy the trust of the public.
