It's often said that journalists should avoid becoming part of the story. But the story of this regional crisis is now putting journalism at the centre of it.
Al Jazeera says the ultimatum - which must be met within 10 days - would not affect daily business.
Fellow journalists and industry representatives are voicing their angry reactions. They see it as an attempt to silence freedom of expression and using the news organisation as a bargaining chip in political differences. | Presenter: Hazem Sika | Guests: Marwan Kabalan - Associate analyst at the Doha Institute, Arab Center for Research & Policy Studies; Philippe Leruth - President of the International Federation of Journalists; Rami Khouri - Professor of Journalism, American University of Beirut