The Layalina Review
VOL. V NO. 1, January 02-January 15, 2009 The Foundation for Defense and Democracies (FDD) issued a statement on December 23, 2008 entitled FDD's Coalition Against Terrorist Media Calls Hezbollah Al-Manar Guilty Plea "Sobering" and "Significant" . In the statement, the FDD noted the United States designated Al Manar as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) entity in March 2006. Hezbollah is a Designated Foreign Terrorist Organization. The report also states that many satellite companies such as Asiasat, Eutelsat, and Intelsat have banned Al-Manar from being carried on their satellites. Iqbal argued that his actions were protected by the First Amendment right to freedom of speech and freedom to broadcast and publish news and information. However, Richard Berman of the United States District Court disagreed with Iqbal’s defense, saying, "I don’t think the case is about content," according to the New York Times Berman continued, "I don’t think it’s about protected speech or advocacy. I don’t think it’s about defendants’ right to say what they wish, to write what they wish, to publish what they wish or even to broadcast what they wish." Rather, he argued, the case was about "whether the defendants ran afoul of legitimate laws designed to help protect against terrorism, for example, by providing aid to terrorist organizations, and that is also a fundamental government concern." The article also noted that Iqbal was well aware of the relationship between Al-Manar and Hezbollah. He was also aware that Hezbollah is a designated a terrorist organization in the United States. Saleh Elahwal, Iqbal’s suspected partner in this crime, will face trial in January. |
Related Stories Controversial TV series gets Award; Al-Jazeera Wins Foreign Press Association Award; Banning Al-Manar in Germany Recent Issues Vol. V No.3: 01/02-01/15, 2009 Vol. V No.2: 01/02-01/15, 2009 |
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