Arabsat Shuts Down Lebanon’s Al-Mayadeen Channel
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Arabsat Satellite Company has stopped broadcasting Lebanon’s al-Mayadeen news channel in a clear act of hostility against freedom of speech.
According to reports, the operator, which is owned by the Saudi Royal family, has taken al-Mayadeen off air under Riyadh’s pressure as the channel had recently started to produce a series of programs trying to shed light on main causes behind the recent Mina crush in Saudi Arabia.
A number of high-ranking Lebanese officials and cultural figures have slammed the move as an attempt by Riyadh to silence the Muslim world, stressing that it is in violation of media ethics.
At least 7,500 pilgrims were killed in the crush of people in Mina, near Mecca, on September 24 when performing religious rites.
The incident came nearly two weeks after tens of Hajj pilgrims were killed in another tragic incident in Mecca.
On September 11, a massive construction crane crashed into Mecca’s Grand Mosque in stormy weather, killing at least 107 people, including 11 Iranians, and injuring 201 others.
Saudi authorities have come under fire for their inability to ensure the safety of hundreds of thousands of pilgrims who converge on Mecca every year.
