Al Arabiya fined for editorial decision not to broadcast interview with Saudi royal
Al Arabiya television channel has been fined for deciding not to broadcast an interview. Courtesy Mr T. in DC.
It’s the daily trade of the television output editor, chopping what doesn’t meet the grade to maintain the daily news agenda in a time sensitive schedule.
But now an Arabic language channel in the Gulf might have to rethink its editorial chain of command after a court in Dubai slapped down a $27,000 fine for not broadcasting an interview it recorded with a Saud royal.
The decision inflicted ‘emotional, moral and social damage on the prince’s status as a royal,’ according to his lawyer.
Judge Ahmad Eisa of Dubai’s appeal court agreed, ruling that Al Arabiya had ‘breached the nobility and morality of journalism’ in refusing to air the interview with Prince Dr Saif Al Islam Bin Saud Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud.
The Prince, who sought five times the level of compensation ordered by the court, was upset that Al Arabiya failed to broadcast the interview despite having advertised it on air, according to Gulf News.
The channel had flown Prince Dr Saif Al Islam to Dubai especially to record the piece.
Al Arabiya countered that it had full rights to the interview and so could choose when to air it.
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