Javed Iqbal, a Staten Island businessman plead guilty to providing Hezbollah's Al-Manar with satellite TV services. The NY Times says that free speech wasn't an issue:
But Judge Richard M. Berman of United States District Court rejected that view last year, ruling that the prosecution was based not on the content of speech but on conduct — allegations that the men provided material support to a foreign terrorist group.
In court on Tuesday, Mr. Iqbal admitted that his company, HDTV Ltd., received money for providing television services to Al Manar — “the beacon” in Arabic — which the United States Treasury Department has designated a global terrorist entity.
Prosecutors have said Hezbollah operated Al Manar in Lebanon as a way to raise money and recruit volunteers for attacks.
“Are you aware of Al Manar’s relationship to Hezbollah?” Judge Berman asked.
“Yes,” Mr. Iqbal said
A prescient commentary in 2006 articulated why free speech ultimately wouldn't protect TV channels like Al-Manar. Iqbal will be sentenced in March. Co-defendant Saleh Elahwal still faces trial.
