Financial crisis threatens Qatari media channels

CAIRO- 11 August 2017, On recent closing of four sections in the Qatari ‘Al Araby Television Network’ and lay off 40 of its employees , observers affirms that Doha suffers from financial crisis.

Yahya al-Kedwany, deputy of the parliament National Security and Defence Committee said that Doha’s reduction of funding “Al Araby Television Network” and its withdrawal of Qatari residency from some Brotherhood leaders confirms that Doha is suffering from economic crises and that the banned Brotherhood group will face internal crises with their international organization in Qatar.

Al-Kedwany said in a statement that "Tamim is living in a state of internal confusion after his wrong decisions and defiance of the Arab countries," adding that the reduction of support for the terrorist channels confirms that the crisis will extend to all terrorist Qatari channels that belong to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Doha affirmed lately their intention to reduce spending on media outlets and started with the new media network, Al Araby Television channel.

It closed four sections in Al Araby Television Network and laid off 40 employees from it.

It also withdrew Qatari residence from Islam Lotfy, Al-Araby Television Network’s former CEO.

The television channel has recently witnessed many economic problems and a number of tourism companies threatened to resort to the British judiciary for the network to pay €130,000 ($169K) owed to them.

British reports revealed that the Qatari channel violated the strict British law on companies’ payment of taxes owed to the government.

“Al Araby Television network” was launched in January 2015 with the aim to improve the image of Qatar amoung the Arab countries. The Qatari channel was broadcasted in Arabic from London and headed by Azmi Bishara, a former member of the Israeli Knesset.

On June 5, a number of Arab countries, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain, cut all diplomatic and transport ties with Qatar over accusations of funding terrorist groups in the region.

The Arab quartet issued 13 demands to Doha, including closing Al Jazeera television channel.