Al-Jazeera denounces demands for its shutdown
The acting managing director of Al-Jazeera's English language service has denounced demands by Gulf Arab states involved in a major dispute with Qatar that the network be shut down as an attempt to suppress free expression.
Instead, Giles Trendle says Al-Jazeera is committed to continuing broadcasts. He told The Associated Press on Friday that the network stands firm in providing "our usual comprehensive and impartial coverage of events around the world."
He says demands to shut the network are "nothing but an attempt to muzzle a voice of democracy in the region and suppress freedom of expression."
A 13-point list of demands delivered to Qatar by Saudi Arabia and other countries pressuring the Gulf state called for Doha-based Al-Jazeera and all its affiliates to be shut down.
