In yet another erosion of political freedoms in the Middle East, the Arab League adopted a new Arab media charter this month, dealing a huge blow to press freedoms in the Arab world.

The controversial television broadcasting code increases government control over TV stations by limiting free political expression on the airwaves. The wording is so vague as to give governments carte blanche to shut down any broadcast it deems unsuitable. The charter invites Arab broadcasters “not to damage social harmony, national unity, public order or traditional values” and to exempt Arab rulers from any criticism. Equally, it empowers Arab governments to make “necessary legislative measures to deal with violations,” including the confiscation of broadcasting equipment and withdrawal of broadcasting authorisation.

It is no surprise that Egypt and Saudi Arabia, the two Arab countries that own the satellites responsible for all Arab broadcasting (Egypt with NileSat and Saudi Arabia with ArabSat) initiated the charter, which was approved by 20 of the 22 nations in the Arab League. Interestingly, Lebanon was the only country with a nay vote, and Qatar, home base for Al-Jazeera, abstained. The charter’s provisions allow these political giants to deny any television station access to one of the satellites and to prevent their citizens from watching any channel they so desire. As such, the charter poses a real threat to the Arab media and the rising standards for professionalism in the field.

The importance of the television media in the Arab world should not be underestimated, especially in societies that lack serious political opposition due to oppressive governments, legal obstacles and failed political cultures. Private Arab television stations often present the only serious “opposition” to Arab regimes. What few voices exist promoting social change, especially since the United States has all but abandoned its democracy promotion efforts in the region, are only accessible via these satellite stations. They are a forum for expressing conflicting and varied political views and routinely show footage of labour strikes, demonstrations and student protests – topics that have not found their way into state-controlled TV.

Perhaps in the days of Soviet-style, state-run media this charter could pass without a hitch. However, during the past decade Arab citizens have become accustomed to a broad array of satellite television channels and experienced the thrill of consumer choice, with over 250 Arab TV stations competing to attract Arab viewers. Unsurprisingly, private stations have more viewers than do government-owned stations.

The Arab media have played an integral role in whatever transparency exists in political discussions across the region, and the Arab public knows it. With the explosion of Arab Satellite TV, so widespread that satellite dishes grace the sides of even the most dilapidated buildings, and with the spread of the Internet, Arabs have become accustomed to a certain level of openness and debate.The media are essential for achieving freedom in the Arab world. This cornerstone of freedom is being ruthlessly mined by Arab regimes that, after quashing political opposition and shoring up control within their own parties, have gone after the only tenable enemy they have left.