“The ministry’s committee has found that the LBC report was technically sound and there was no distortion and we would like to make it clear that the recorded material is technically sound and was not distorted,” said Abdul Rahman Al-Hazza, spokesman for the ministry.

The ministry also pointed out it is not concerned with Abdul Jawad who is not related to the media and does not work for any media organization. “The ministry looks into cases involving persons related to media and culture, including the print and electronic media,” Al-Hazza said.

“The ministry is concerned with this issue with regard to aspects only; the soundness of the recorded material; and implementation of the Publication Law’s Article 38,” he said.

Al-Hazza, however, stated that the LBC program was prepared taking important points from the interview it had conducted with Abdul Jawad but without making any distortions.

“There is conformity between the photos and sounds that appeared in the report,” the spokesman said, adding that it did not include any outside voice or reading of any text. “Moreover, all persons who appeared in the report knew that television cameras were filming them.”

Speaking about how the channel has been punished, he said: “We have closed down the channel’s office in Jeddah and all its offices in the Kingdom once and for all.” He added that defendants have the right to appeal against the decision.