The Australian Communications and Media Authority will investigate narrowcasting television service Al-Manar TV to ensure it complies with regulations banning terrorist-related content, racial vilification and hate speech.
Al-Manar TV is re-transmitted into Australia via satellite and reported to have links to Hezbollah.
The investigation will examine extensive program content drawn from selected off-air recordings of Al-Manar TV since December 2008 as well as certain specific content, which has been referred to it by Senator Stephen Conroy.
Members of the public are invite to submit content that they consider is terrorist-related or includes racial vilification and hate speech.
A previous investigation found that references to Hezbolla could not reasonably be construed to directly recruit people to join or solicit funds.
The closing date for referral is 5th March 2010.
Source: ACMA
Yes, you’re right, Kai.
It did say Al-Manar TV only had “reported… links to Hezbollah” & that, “a previous investigation found that references to Hezbollah could not reasonably be construed to directly recruit people to join or solicit funds.” But I have more to go on than simply this TV Tonight article & its rather diplomatic ACMA source, like a lot of international news coming from places like News Corp to Al Jazeera.
Every time Al-Manar makes international headlines it’s for the wrong reasons.
So, just like Osama bin Laden having ‘reported links’ to September 11, anyone not living under a rock knows the real truth, even if it hasn’t been tested in a court-of-law yet.
@ H
I agree some of the christian shows must be against the law. I am going to write a letter to ACMA about the ACC – Australian Christian Channel. Some of the stuff that they show would no doubt be “hate speech” & “vilification”.
@Stan
I didn’t read the bit that said the accusation was actually true. You’re saying that whenever someone alleges someone/thing of doing something that’s against the law then it’s automatically true and we should stop all involvement with that person/thing?
Brodles, what are you implying with your comment? Why should David Jones need to watch this channel when said channel has links to Hezbolla? That’s enough information for me, thanks!
I’d like to think David Jones would say the same thing if the Australian Army had their own TV channel.
The only thing offensive right now is the comment by ‘David Jones’ below. Have you even watched the channel ‘David’? How about reserving your opinion on what the channel contains until you see it?
If someone complains they would need to take it on board seriously yes. Put it in writing.
What did you expect to find on a chanel like this, Do they have make a bomb training aswell step by step??? Ban it.
When you refer to “hate speech” or “vilification” does the same apply to christian shows in the early morning on FTA that literally condemn non-believers and gays and lesbians to “burn in hell.”? I consider that hate speech.
That offends me more than some satellite channel we have no access to.