4 channels banned from hotel TVs

Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) has banned four type of TV channels from airing in any of the hospitality establishments in Makkah and Madinah. Madinah SCTH Director Khalid Al-Shihrani said the commission implemented new regulations on hotels and other establishments in the hospitality industry to respect the holiness of the two holy cities, Makkah daily reported “Any TV channel which airs movies, music, politics and sectarian programs will be banned from airing in hotels and other establishments under the hospitality sector. There will also be no remote controls in the rooms. The control over the channels will be with the administration,” said Al-Shihrani. He also said the commission will organize inspection campaigns to ensure that the establishments adhere to the rules and regulations. “There will be penalties for any violations recorded reaching up to SR100,000 fines. The fines will double with repeated violations and the establishment may be shut down if it does not comply with the regulations,” said Al-Shihrani. He also said customers can report any sighted violations by calling the commission’s call center on 19988.