Court sides with press :: Khaleej Times

Khaleej Times reports:

Commenting on the judgment, the attorney for the two defendants, Salim Sha'ali, said the verdict was "a big victory for freedom of expression which the constitution guarantees to all." "It also comes as a boost for the local Press which has been striving to play it's role in nation-building exercise and the overall development of the country," he said.

“I was so pleased by the court decision which is considered as the victory for local journalism. It represents an honorable position for the local media in the face of corruption and administrative bureaucracy or any unjustice practices against society rights."
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The two journalists were charged with libel for publishing reports which the Sharjah Municipality claimed had tarnished it's reputation, and for publishing reports without cross-checking facts. Fareed published the "suffocation" report in Al Ittihad on December 18, 1999.
. . .
Sharjah Municipality responded to the report by denying any role and responsibility on the issue. It put the blame on the Sharjah International Airport authorities, the Al Dhaid farm owner and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. The Sharjah Municipality argued that the Sharjah Airport authorities were the supervisors of the fowl storage facilities.
. . .
The Primary Court found the two defendants guilty of the charges and sentenced them to pay a fine of Dh200 each. The verdict was earlier upheld by the Sharjah Appeals Court but the Federal High Court quashed the judgments of the lower courts and ordered a retrial of the case by the Sharjah Appeals Court, which, this time, acquitted and discharged the defendants from the charges.