Saudi Arabia: Why the Ban on Al Jazeera TV?

Saudi Arabia's highest religious authority issued an edict May 20 prohibiting citizens from viewing the popular Al Jazeera satellite channel because it promotes "poisonous ideas." This is another regime effort to maintain its grip on power by blocking opponents' access to the Saudi people. How Riyadh expects to enforce this ruling is unclear, but one thing is certain: It will further damage the government's credibility with its citizens.