Jordanian channel, Josat, shuts down without explanation

Jordan TV saw an MP (right) pull a gun on his opponent  Amman - Osama Al Rantissi The Jordanian satellite television channel which recently broadcast a heated debate during which a gun was brandished has been shut down for unknown reasons.The channel’s owner Dr Ryad el-Harob said: "the channel’s broadcast was cut at 4pm Jordanian time."  Dr el-Harob said he was not warned about the sudden shut down in broadcasting from the Jordanian Radio and Television authority, JRTV, saying: "the channel didn’t receive any warnings about the suspension of broadcasting from the Jordanian Radio and TV Corporation which is responsible for providing and stopping satellite channels licenses". There has been speculation that the channel was shut down after it broadcast an episode of  the television programme ‘Kalam Fel Sameem’ on Wednesday night, in which it discussed Jordanian election law, prompting complaints. Some Jordanian sources said the channel was closed down because of financial disputes between the channel and satellite company, a matter denied by Dr el-Harob. Two weeks ago Josat Channel broadcast a heated debate between an ex-politician and a current parliamentary member.  During a violent discussion, minister of parliament, Mohamed el Shawabeka, raised his gun at a former parliamentary member, Mansour Saif el-deen Morad, after hitting him. Jordan's King Abdullah II Wednesday launched the Jordanian Media Strategy Executive Programme, aimed at supporting independent media.  The idea behind the initiative is the media is able to achieve a balance between freedom and responsibility. The initiative was first adopted by the government in June 2011.  Its main aims are to implement instructions on how best to advance the quality of media, by using modern communication tools and progressing professionalism through necessary and objective media training, achieving self-organisation and moral commitments.