Al-Alam resumes broadcasting on new satellite

Iran’s Al-Alam television network resumed broadcasting its programmes on a new European satellite after dropping by Egypt and Saudi Arabia based satellite operators. The Tehran-based Arabic news network is now broadcasting its programmes from the European satellite Atlantic Bird 4: frequency 11355 MHz, vertical polarization.

Saudi-based Arabsat and Cairo-based Nilsat dropped Al-Alam earlier without prior notice. Several regional and international media and political activists have so far slammed the move, saying that the ban is in violation of freedom of expression.

Iranian officials said earlier that based on contracts already signed with the two satellites, the ban was also an improper move which could be sued. Al-Alam accused the broadcasters of ceasing the transmission for “political reasons,” saying that the move is in violation of contracts with the two satellite companies.

The channel also stressed that it has broadcast news in a balanced and impartial manner, avoiding stirring religious and ethnic strife among Muslims.