Here are some key quotes:
the public has demanded greater disclosure, less toeing of the party line, more investigative reporting and "telling it like it is". That call also comes from government officials who claim any story can be told as long as it is accurate and truthful. . . .
it is noticeable that when we ask for comment, many people who requested greater press freedoms decline to reply or subsequently condemn us for publishing the story.
This is a nonsensical position in which to put the media. . . .
Gulf News will continue to publish fearlessly, accepting that there will always be so-called spokesmen who, in fact, prefer instead to remain silent.
Posts
6 comments:
Ummm... yea. I believe GN will take it as far as they can, but they'll step back the moment things get too hot. After all, this isn't a democracy; it's an enlightened despotism. Having said that, it's actually pretty enlightened, all things considered. Having said that, it's still a despotism, all things considered.
What I am wondering is how blogs can fit into all of this. UAE Bloggers enjoy certain freedoms that official media outlets don't
Well, actually we don't. We are subject to just the same laws as they are, both civil and criminal, and all bloggers should bear this in mind and act with common sense and caution when they write.
My fear is that they may try to "regulate" blogs as Bahrain as done - perhaps classifying them as "unlicensed publications". The only way to avoid this is for the general blogging community to act wisely and use self-censorship on trigger issues, just as the print/radio/video media here do.
perhaps it puts SD into a very vulnerable position as the sole blog owner.
This is an increasing problem. I am having to delete increasing amounts of comments, though except in a recent case I will always state when I have done so, and why, and try to re-post an edited version if possible.
But it's now at the stage where if I am overseas or without internet access for more than a day, I either have to (a) not post anything new, or (b) lock off comments until I return. Very sad, but that's the way it is.
All the legal boiler plate I put up won't protect me from other people spouting libel/offensive content on my blog.
Yes, nicely put anonymous.
I didn't anticipate this particular posting would generate such thoughtful responses as pixelsonic's or the serious dilemma on comments that Secret Dubai writes of above.
As I was reducing the GN editorial to the quotes given I did notice that they had chosen their words very carefully.
Being counted on as a source of "constructive and insightful commentary" is a matter of building a reputation for doing just that. Individual bloggers can do that. And conversations like this one make me hopeful that this community blog can as well.
Not that many of us have more than 10s of regular readers!
Censorship of course can backfire. Witness the increase in Secret Dubai's since this summer's episodes. What's the lesson in that for bloggers?
Finally, I note this UAE community blog and Secret Dubai contribute a sizeable share of the daily referrals I am receiving.
Finally, I note this UAE community blog and Secret Dubai contribute a sizeable share of the daily referrals I am receiving.
Oh superb! One of the main reasons I set this place up was to help promote UAE blogs, as it was hard to find a single list of them before. Very glad to hear that it's working. I must do an entry about (legitimate) blog promotion.
I am just very curious about all of this because SDD seems to have taken an abrupt turn from the sardonically humorous towards the political lately
Ooops - if so, that's actually unintentional - if anything I intended to post more humour/light stuff and avoid politics. Guess it's just my rant-mood ;)
So would creating a new collaboratively administered, intelligent, political blog make sense to anyone (as there seems to be interest)?
In terms of the wider Middle East and Arab/Islamic affairs, Aqoul.com was set up a few months ago just to do that. I sometimes cross post on UAE issues. The admin there is always extremely keen for contributions/articles/posts if you would ever like to contribute any.
Do bear in mind though that still: anything you put online you can be held liable for, no matter if it is in a foreign country with better freedom of speech laws.
Do consider writing for Aqoul though, it has a more academic purpose and debate is somewhat more justifiable there.
Plus there are far less troll-comments, and if some happen, it shouldn't be your concern as you a contributor not the site owner. (Who is in the "free west" and doesn't have to be as paranoid as we all are!)
Post a Comment
NOTE: By making a post/comment on this blog you agree that you are solely responsible for its content and that you are up to date on the laws of the country you are posting from and that your post/comment abides by them.
To read the rules click here
If you would like to post content on this blog click here