‘Authorities close Yarmouk satellite channel’s broadcast studios’

AMMAN — Yarmouk satellite channel on Monday expressed its shock over the Jordan Media Commission’s (JMC) decision to close its live broadcast studios “without prior notice”.

In a statement sent to The Jordan Times, the channel said it started operations three years ago after meeting all legal requirements.

Wael Saqqa, the channel’s chairman, received the commission’s approval for broadcast, the statement said, adding that the closed studios are owned by a private company the channel has signed a contract with for technical services.

The station said closing the studios is an act that “limits media freedoms”.

Also on Monday, the Centre for Defending the Freedom of Journalists (CDFJ) expressed its concern over the closure.

CDFJ President Nidal Mansour voiced hope the channel would resume its broadcasts in the near future, according to a statement released by the centre.

The new licensed Muslim Brotherhood society recently filed a complaint with the JMC against the channel, which is run by the old unlicensed Brotherhood group, accusing it of “inciting sedition”.

Amjad Qadi, director of the commission, told The Jordan Times at the time that JMC had received the complaint and would study it in order to take the proper measures.

JMC officials on Monday were not available to comment on the the issue.