The Ministry of Culture and Information is considering shutting down a satellite TV channel which has allegedly provoked sectarianism and harmed the national unity, sources close to Al-Hayat Arabic daily said here Monday. The channel aired a program that allegedly aimed to divide the residents of a region within the Kingdom along sectarian lines. Dr. Abdul Aziz Khoja, Minister of Culture and Information, said the Ministry would not accept such a thing from any satellite TV channel, newspaper or e-newspaper. “National unity is the red line,” he said. “Sectarian statements against a region, tribe or a family are unacceptable. The Ministry will prevent any type of sedition.” Dr. Hadi Al-Yami, member of the Human Rights Commission, lauded the efforts of Prince Misha'l Bin Abdullah, Emir of Najran, to contain the situation by taking the necessary action in this regard. He said that Prince Misha'l took the initiative of reporting the channel to the Ministry of Culture and Information. “The Minister formed an investigation committee to study the case.” A speaker on the TV channel made comments against the people of Najran Region along sectarian lines. Twitterers described it as a form of sedition.
