PAKISTAN: Geo TV returns to airwaves

Dubai Media City and GEO TV reach an agreement following on-going discussions

By William Hong
Deputy Editor

Friday, November 30, 2007

Pakistani channel Geo News resumed broadcasting from Dubai at midnight on Thursday after the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) shut it down nearly two weeks ago.

According to Agence France-Presse, Amina Rustamani, executive director of media at the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone, said the decision to allow Geo News to transmit its satellite signals once more followed discussions between top network management and Dubai Media City authorities.

According to a Press Trust of India report, Dubai Media City installed new conditions Geo News had to accept if it wanted to resume transmission.

Dubai Media City ordered Geo News' and ARY One's closures on Nov. 16 in order to maintain neutrality, according to a statement made by the U.A.E. Both private channels claimed, however, they were forced off air by pressure from Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf.

Earlier in the week, Gulf News reported Imran Mir, station manager of Geo TV in Dubai, saying that Geo TV was "making arrangements" to move its base of operations from Dubai to Hong Kong due to the financial losses incurred by the U.A.E. shutdown.

ARY One, another prominent Pakistani news channel that was closed down, resumed transmission on Nov. 22 after also reaching an undisclosed agreement with Dubai Media City authorities. Despite its return, like Geo TV, it is reportedly looking to move out of Dubai.

Date Posted: 11/30/2007