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| Arabia | |
| Saudi: OK to kill owners of 'immoral' TV networks | |
| 2008-09-12 | |
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) -- Saudi Arabia's top judiciary official has issued a religious decree saying it is permissible to kill the owners of satellite TV networks that broadcast immoral content.
Many of the most popular Arab satellite networks -- which include channels showing music videos often denounced as obscene by Muslim conservatives -- are owned by Saudi princes and well-connected Saudi businessmen. Al-Lihedan did not specify any particular channels. Al-Lihedan is chief of the kingdom's highest tribunal, the Supreme Judiciary Council. Saudi Arabia's judiciary is made up of Islamic clerics whose decrees, or fatwas, on everyday issues are widely respected. Their fatwas do not have the weight of law. In the courts, cleric-judges rule according to Islamic law, but interpretations can vary. Al-Lihedan was answering listeners' questions during the daily "Light in the Path" radio program in which he and others make rulings on what is permissible under Islamic law. One caller asked about Islam's view of the owners of satellite TV channels that show "bad programs" during Ramadan. "I want to advise the owners of these channels, who broadcast calls for such indecency and impudence ... and I warn them of the consequences," he said. "What does the owner of these networks think, when he provides seduction, obscenity and vulgarity?" "Those calling for corrupt beliefs, certainly it's permissible to kill them," he said. "Those calling for sedition, those who are able to prevent it but don't, it is permissible to kill them." Among the most viewed Arabic satellite networks is Rotana, which airs movies and music videos. It is owned by Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, a billionaire businessman and member of the royal family whom Forbes ranks as the world's 13th richest person. Al-Lihedan sparked controversy in the past by issuing a decree that Saudis can join jihadists to fight U.S. troops in Iraq. | |
| Posted by:Delphi |
| #4 you guys are waaaay ahead of me. Rats. |
| Posted by: anymouse 2008-09-12 17:40 |
| #3 GE? |
| Posted by: 3dc 2008-09-12 17:27 |
| #2 Ted Turner, Leslie Moonves (CBS), Jeff Zucker (NBC), Stephen McPherson (ABC), Peter Liguori (FOX), Judy McGrath (MTV), Jonathan Klein (CNN), Dan Abrams (MSNBC). |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2008-09-12 16:54 |
| #1 Ordinarily, I'd be outraged..... but the letters MSNBC keep appearing in my head..... |
| Posted by: Caesar Sperelet6449 2008-09-12 14:33 |