Saudi TV channel shut for alleged “racism”

Saudi Arabia shut down a local satellite TV Arabic language channel after it was accused of airing a programme deemed as racist against a key Saudi tribe.

King Adbullah bin Abdul Aziz ordered the closure of Awtan channel and the punishment of the programme presenter Sabri Askar and those who were involved in the debate, including Dr Mohammed Hijazi and Saad Al Sabr.

Newspapers gave no details of the programme but one daily said it included racist comments against Yam tribe in the southwestern province of Najran close to the Saudi border with Yemen.

“The King ordered the closure of Awtan and the punishment of all those involved in that programme,” Sabq Arabic language daily said.

The newspaper said the channel, owned by Saudi businessman Abdul Rahman Al Tayyar, was accused by Minister of Information Abdul Aziz Khowja of trying to “instigate a sectarian sedition” in the Gulf Kingdom of 27 million people.

“Its racist views caused furor in the Kingdom and sparked anger by many viewers, mainly in Najran…they accused the channel of trying to cause sectarian and racist sedition against the people of Najran.”