May 18, 2009

Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R-Fl) and Joseph Crowley (D-NY) have introduced a bill to U.S. Congress, which would label satellite operators who broadcast “encitive stations” as associates of terrorists, according to a May 15 report in The Jerusalem Post.

The bipartisan bill asserts that certain satellite television stations were helping foreign terrorist organizations in their objectives, including recruiting fighters, collecting funds and disseminating propaganda.

The bill says that U.S. policy should implement legal and punitive measures against satellite providers that transmit terror-related channels.

In 2007, Arab broadcast stateion A-Zawra was taken off the air by both NileSat and ArabSat. In a statement, NileSat officials explained the move was necessary because of technical problems. In response, A-Zawra claimed the move was politically motivated by U.S. pressure on the Egyptian government.