Iran's 'Cable Guys'

Holly Dagres, al-monitor, Iran's 'Cable Guys' Provide Service For Contraband Satellites, 20 Oct 2013 "Although satellites are contraband, somehow many people manage to own one. It's estimated that 50-70% of households in Tehran have satellite dishes to broadcast their favorite news, music and movie channels. Even in a holy city such as Qom and other areas, it's estimated that some 30-40% of households own a satellite dish.

globox.tv

AFP/AhramOnline, Afghan web-TV pioneers seek new screen revolution " Globox.tv is the latest product of a media revolution in Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban regime -- which banned television, music and cinema -- and the station's bosses hope its bold programmes will attract younger viewers."

'Afghanistan announces satellite tender'

Guardian, Afghanistan announces satellite tender, 9 Apr 2012 "International partner sought to put Afghanistan's first satellite in orbit to improve the country's television and internet coverage."

Media conference

Arab News, Muslim media’s balancing power stressed at Jakarta conference, 16 Dec 2011 "The second international Islamic media conference held at Jakarta’s Sultan Hotel from Dec. 12 to 15 has called on Muslim media organizations around the world to strengthen their cooperation in defending Muslim causes, spreading the message of Islam and promoting world peace and stability."

"Al-Azhar Message on Satellite, Internet"

onislam.net, Al-Azhar Message on Satellite, Internet, 16 Dec 2011 "Bound by tradition and overshadowed by the state, al-Azhar missed the boat when new communications options opened up and Islamists seized them to challenge its mainstream view of Islam. ""We have not adequately coped with the changing modern means of communication and information technology,” Ibrahim Negm, senior adviser to Grand Mufti Ali Gomaa, Egypt's second-highest religious authority after Tayeb, said."

New channel for broadcasting Qur'an planned

Arab News, New Qur’an channel planned, 5 Oct 09 "A satellite channel focusing on broadcasting recitations of the Holy Qur’an will be launched next year, the Arabic daily Al-Watan reported, quoting president of Makkah Al-Mukarramah Open University Ali ibn Hamza Al-Amari. “The recitations of the current Qur’anic channels are not satisfactory... This is why the new channel is being launched,” he said."

It doesn't discuss why current output is not satisfactory...

Naif Al-Mutawa op-ed

Philadelphia Inquirer, Naif Al-Mutawa, The many shapes of extremism: The distinction between Islam and fanaticism can't be made too often. Op-ed "In the age of the Internet and satellite television, my students are not shielded from the misconceptions and misrepresentations of their faith any more than the Arab American student at Brown had been.

"But if Muslims grow up to identify extremism with Islam, and to believe that to be an accurate reflection of their religion, then we will have a far bigger problem than we ever could have imagined. Passing off aberration as the norm is a danger to all of us. And constantly setting the record right on what is and isn't Islam is the duty of every able communicator in today's multimedia world."

from the creator of The 99

Fatwa Fatigue

NPR, Concern Grows Over Proliferation Of Fatwas, 23 Mar 09, "An explosion of fatwas on television and the Internet has led to contradictory and occasionally bizarre decrees.

"Now one lawmaker in Egypt is proposing a radical solution — to jail unqualified fatwa-givers."

Includes audio report. Seems an unlikely solution, given internet application of e-fatwas.

TV

foxbusiness.com, New Arabic Online Network Unveils Premier Global Television Service, 25 Aug 08 "JumpTV Inc. (TSX/AIM: JTV) and NeuLion Inc., leading providers of live and on-demand international and sports programming over the Internet, announced today the launch of a new online service -- www.talfazat.com -- that delivers the largest selection of live and on-demand Arabic television content available anywhere. Talfazat.com offers Arabs worldwide an opportunity to tune into their favorite live television channels or on-demand programs with a simple Internet connection." advertorial

BBC Arabic

BBC News, BBC launches Arabic TV channel, 11 Mar 08 The official site is here. Live streaming via the net is available - useful for viewers outside the Middle East region (not sure if it is on cable or Sky here in the UK). I'm watching now.