25 September, 2007

UAE Publications Law

Do you think many amendments were added since 1980?

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mohammed issues directions against detention of journalists

Sep 25, 2007 - 08:40 -

Abu Dhabi, Sep.25th, 2007 (WAM)--H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, issued today a directive to the relevant authorities not to detain any journalist because of his journalistic work.

This was announced by sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of National Media Council (NMC), who stated that sheikh Mohammed had issued his directives to the relative organizations not to imprison any journalist because of journalistic task, emphasizing that there are other procedures to be taken in case of a certain violation by any journalist but imprisonment is not included.

He added that sheikh Mohammed had issued his directives to the cabinet to speed up its steps towards issuing press and publication law in the light of the amendments made by the NMC in collaboration with relevant organizations.

Concluding his statement, Sheikh Abdullah commended the imitative of Sheikh Mohammed which reflects his deep belief in press freedom and manifests his due care for journalists and means to provide them with the best working environment that enables them to carry out their mission efficiently WAM/MUS

Anonymous said...

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/theuae/2007/May/theuae_May462.xml§ion=theuae&col=

Media free to publish what it considers right: Dhahi


The print media in the UAE is free to publish what it considers is right, provided it doesn't interfere with the process of dispensation of justice, or violate people's rights or, in any way, harm the country's national interest and security, Dubai Police Commander-in-Chief Lt-Gen. Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, said yesterday.


Lt-Gen. Dhahi stated this at the symposium titled "Relations between Police and Media."

Addressing the audience consisting of media persons, security officials and people from the publishing industry, he endorsed the proposal regarding constant interaction between police spokespersons and media personnel with a view to accessing the latest news, information and follow-ups for coverage in the media.

He suggested the setting up of a dedicated website for dissemination of information to the press. The online service would be less time-consuming.

He pointed out that though Dubai Police has a Press liaison office which gives out information to the press and the media, many reporters insisted on contacting him personally or senior police officers to enquire about the latest developments regarding a crime incident or an accident.

While presenting several study papers, speakers at the symposium stressed the need for securing the flow of information regarding accidents and security-related issues.

They also called for facilitating the assignments of reporters and photographers at the venue of accidents.

Anonymous said...

so does that mean there really IS freedom of the press or is that just lip service as such??

Anonymous said...

Dubai, Sep. 26th, 2007 (WAM) -- The decision to eliminate the jail sentence in press cases comes as a great relief for journalists and a boost to press freedom, wrote a UAE daily.

"A longtime demand of journalists, the decision comes two days after two journalists were sentenced to two months in jail after being accused of slandering a woman involved in a domestic dispute," said the Dubai-based 'Gulf News' in its editorial today.

The English language daily went on saying that the decision was taken by His Highness Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who said there were other measures that may be taken against journalists who violate the law.

"According to Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister and Chairman of the National Media Council (NMC), the government has been instructed to speed up the necessary steps to issue the new press law in light of the amendments made by the NMC after consulting the concerned bodies," noted the paper.

"The move "reflects Sheikh Mohammad's belief in freedom of the press and its important role in society," and underlines his support for journalists, the minister said. It also reflects the Vice President's "keenness to provide the best work environment for the media to carry out its duties in the best way," the daily added.

The daily pointed out that the UAE, a rapidly growing modern state the core of which is good governance, needs a free press to reflect the constant changes in society and provide an essential monitoring tool to sustain transparency and accountability in the development process.

The paper concluded by saying that the government should be commended for siding with the freedom of the press. Sheikh Mohammad's decision sends a strong message to everybody concerned that the press is truly the fourth estate. Those who put the national interests first should not fear the free press. They should indeed help us help them strive for a progressive UAE where the law is supreme.

Anonymous said...

fergie, no it means that they should find other execuses to arrest them

Anonymous said...

so ,anon, u r saying that the press isn't really free ,in the true sense of the word,so to speak?

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