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Media council clarifies closure of Geo, ARY

ABU DHABI — The closure of Dubai-based Pakistani TV channels — Geo News and ARY OneWorld — is in keeping with the UAE’s neutral foreign policy and the positive and constructive role it has played in international affairs, a top official of the country’s media regulatory authority has said.

Ibrahim Al Abed, Director-General of National Media Council, commenting on the closure of the TV channels by Dubai Media City said yesterday that neutrality has been a key principle of UAE’s foreign policy.

“The UAE has been an advocate of international law and an active contributor to peace and stability in the region,” he said.

He added that “in the light of the current sensitive state of affairs in Pakistan, the UAE can only assume its responsibility and maintain its neutrality”.

Al Abed reiterated that the closure of the two television stations is coherent with the foreign policy of the UAE.

Amina Al Rostamani, Executive Director of Dubai Media City, said: “As an entity within the UAE, Dubai Media City would also observe the broadcast principles of the country’s foreign policy and prevent the telecast of news and material that would undermine those principles”.

She noted that Geo TV and ARY Digital have been respected business partners in Dubai Media City for several years, pointing out that “our relationship with them has been strong and friendly”.

“We are in discussion with them with regard to the telecast of their news components and we are confident we will resolve this matter in the best way possible to protect their interests and those of the UAE.”

• UAE