As a Jordanian expatriate, I was particularly looking forward to the much-awaited launch of ATV, scheduled yesterday, Wednesday the 1st of August 2007.
But the expected kick-off never came on. I thought it was some technical problems at the beginning, but how can you go wrong for something you’ve been working on for over 2 years? So I decided to call a close relative of mine who works at the station but he never answered, perhaps busy, surprised, ashamed?
This morning I read the news that, in a last-minute step, the Audiovisual Commission, a government commission in charge of radio and TV licensing, decided to suspend the airing of ATV.
So I decided to try again with my cousin, who picked up this time. He explained that they’ve been pressured by the Commission before they even announced the date of their launch. He attributed it to the some-what controversial and sensitive issues ATV promised to touch upon, which had lead to some problems, and that the Commission’s intentions are really to hand-pick programs and content.
Here’s a sarcastic and funny comment on the black-iris post:
ألو، مهند الخطيب؟
أنا فلان بحكي معاك من هيئة المسموع، إحنا الحكومة، إحنا تبعين الستلايتات وهل القصص.
أول إشي مبروك القناة، بس شو قصة انكو الأربعاء راح تطلعو؟ والله يا سيدي ما ظنيتلك لانو في وراق ناقصة في معاملتكو بدها كم توقيع و طوابع، فالله يرضى عليك و قفولي البث و تعالو زبطو المعاملة
The same source confirmed that ATV’s broadcasting will continue next week after the submitting the so-called “paperwork”.
