Channel surfing

DOHA
• Qatar is likely to allow in the near future private TV channels to
set up operations in the country. Indications to this effect came from
measures to amend a relevant legislation.

The
law (No. 11 of 1997) which led to the establishment of a TV and radio
regulatory authority (the General Authority for TV and Radio) is being
amended to facilitate the setting up and operation of private channels.

The
Advisory Council yesterday discussed provisions of the law to introduce
suitable amendments following a note from the Cabinet which said it had
already approved the alteration in the legislation and was referring it
to the Council for its recommendations.

The
Cabinet has also urged the Advisory Council to frame a draft of
detailed procedures which will be required to allow and regulate the TV
channels.

The
Chairman of the 35-member Advisory Council, H E Mohamed bin Mubarak Al
Khulaifi, urged members to debate the issue at length before approving
the amendment.

Meanwhile,
some members of the Qatari community said they have for long been
demanding private channels to operate in the country. “It is a
long-standing demand of ours as Qatar TV is not very popular in the
community,” said Hassan Al Jefairi.

“We
want the authorities to give as much freedom to TV channels as is given
to Al Jazeera.” Al Jefairi, however, added that his understanding was
that only commercial channels may be allowed to operate here in the
beginning.

‘More power’

Also,
a law is being amended to empower a key state security agency not to
allow people to travel overseas if they are suspected of involvement in
serious crimes, including, arguably, terrorism.

The
prohibition is to remain valid for 30 days before the person concerned
is referred to the Public Prosecution for investigation and
charge-sheeting. The ban can be extended by the Public Prosecution to
six months.

The
Advisory Council discussed the proposed amendment to Article 7 of Law
No. 5 of 2003 yesterday after the Cabinet referred the matter to it
with a note and a report from a Committee for Internal and External
Affairs headed by Ibrahim Al Misned.

Meanwhile,
the draft of a new sponsorship law is at the final stages of being
approved, a source from legal circles said yesterday.

“The
Advisory Council and the State Cabinet have already approved the draft
and we understand that it is awaiting final approval from higher-ups,”
the source said.

Source ::: The Peninsula

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