From the BBC:

Television network al-Jazeera has said a media code adopted by Arab countries could curb freedom of expression.

The code allows authorities to withdraw permits from satellite channels deemed to have offended Arab leaders or national or religious symbols.

It was adopted this week by ministers from the 22-member Arab League at a meeting called by Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

But Qatar, where al-Jazeera is based, refused to sign up.

The network said on Friday that it considered the charter "a risk to the freedom of expression in the Arab world".

It warned that some of the charter's language was ambiguous and "could be interpreted to actively hinder independent reporting from the region".

"Any code of ethics or governance for journalistic practices should emerge, and be governed, from within the profession and not be imposed externally by political institutions," said the network's director-general, Wadah Khanfar.