Arabsat porn in Arabic countries no more
Regional, Entertainment, 7/23/1997

The Arab satellite communications organization Arabsat said on July 20 it had pulled the plug on programs from Canal France International (CFI) for broadcasting an "immoral" show in Arab countries.

Astonished viewers in Dubai saw ten minutes of pornographic scenes from the canal plus station on July 19, prompted the clampdown. Arabsat director general Saad Abdel Aziz al-Badna said it had canceled its contract with CFI, "for nonrespect of its commitments" and could take legal action.

The French foreign ministry expressed deep regret on July 22 after a technical error led to a pornographic film being broadcast on a French international TV channel, sparking an Arab client to pull the plug.

A spokesman said Canal France International had nothing to do with the glitch, which led to 20 minutes of steamy scenes going on the air in a number of Arab countries on July 19.

"We deeply regret this incident and share the emotions roused in Saudi Arabia and the Arab world," said the spokesman. "It was an unacceptable incident caused solely by a technical error," he added, saying a mix-up in a transmission center had caused the problem.

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search