We recently wondered why Nilesat, Egypt’s government-controlled satellite company, is airing Al-Qaida’s Al-Zawraa TV. Now, the Christian Science Monitor reports that Egypt may be using the Al-Zawraa to stoke regional tensions between Shiite and Sunni Moslems. Correspondent Sandra Gauch writes:
Mr. Pintak says Egypt’s decision to keep Al Zawraa on the air plays into the Sunni-Shiite cold war that has descended on the region, caused largely by sectarian bloodshed in Iraq and Iran’s nuclear ambitions. In essence, he says, it’s a show of support for fellow Sunnis.
American officials have reportedly called the station “utterly offensive,” saying that closing it down is a priority.
But one Egyptian government official, who asked to remain anonymous, reiterated Nilesat’s stand that the station remains on air purely for commercial reasons. “We’re merely a carrier of this station. We’re not producing it. This is a straightforward business deal,” he says, adding that, “none of us would reject the principle of freedom of speech and broadcasting for everyone.”
Egypt has a history, though, of arresting bloggers and journalists and violently dispersing protests critical of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s government.
Last year, Egypt received more than $ 1 billion in US aid.
UPDATE Jan. 21: The NY Times picked up on the controversy.
UPDATE Jan. 22: The Washington Post picked up on the controversy, noting this defense from Nilesat:
Amin Basyouni, board chairman of Cairo-based Nilesat, said no government had asked him to cancel al-Zawraa. “We never interfere with content on any channel from any country in the world,” he said. “We are like an airline. Passengers go on board. We never ask them, ‘Why are you going to London or Paris?’ “
