08 April, 2009

Anti-Dubai bile in British press not shared by UK government

Following on the heels of the journalistic stampede noted in samuraisam's post comes this from AMEInfo:
The government of Great Britain does not share the pessimistic and rather vitriolic view of Dubai that appeared in some sections of the British press in the wake of the global financial crisis, asserted John Wilkes, an official spokesperson for the UK government in a press conference at Dubai Press Club yesterday.
...
Wilkes was speaking to the media on the ongoing visit to the region by Peter Mendelson, the British Secretary of State for Business, accompanied by a large delegation consisting of top government officials and business leaders.

The high level British delegation reached Abu Dhabi yesterday and is scheduled to visit Dubai today. 'Great Britain considers the business and other relations with the GCC countries as exceptionally important, particularly in light of the current financial crisis. Dubai and the gulf region are better equipped to deal with the crisis than many other parts of the world on account of the region's enormous financial and natural resources. The UAE is the third largest market in the GCC for British businesses,' said Wilkes.
Read it all here.

7Days adds:
The UK government has said it does not support attacks on Dubai by the British press. Government spokesman John Wilkes branded some recent media coverage of Dubai as “rather vitriolic” and said it did not share the “pessimistic” view of the emirate that has been portrayed in some sections of the UK press.

37 comments:

Anonymous said...

You wouldn't expect them to say anything else. If I remember they even got some flack in the article for setting up this place the way it is. After all the brits created that country and have been steering it for a long time..

nzm said...

It gets messier in the press reports - personally this time, for the Dubai ruler.

Anonymous said...

After all the brits created that country and have been steering it for a long time..

Dubai is a country? and Steering it? Hardly. That honor goes to the US, as with the UK and everywhere else.

Proud Emirati said...

As I always say, never trust those people.

Rupert Neil Bumfrey said...

"Don’t rule out Dubai comeback" FT

"To limit the pain, Dubai will have to act even more vigorously on two fronts. First, it has still to convince the markets it is capable of engineering a fundamental restructuring.

The emirate likes to be known as an outwardly, cosmopolitan city, but it has not come to terms with the responsibility alongside that – crucially, the need for transparency."

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f098d4dc-2466-11de-9a01-00144feabdc0.html

"Dubai building boom in mass mothballing" The Australian

"Despite the slowdown, however, the Middle East remains the most active construction market in the world."

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/business/story/0,28124,25310090-36418,00.html

Anonymous said...

As a U.S. citizen, I'm used to "bile" being printed about my country and my leaders and occasionally about my fellow citizens. I think that the media of this region sure do print it (bile) about others but they tend to not take it very well when it's directed at them. The comments in the western press about this place are mild compared with the criticism that gets printed in this region about the West. This, of course, is a huge "double standard".

Rose in Dubai said...

PE, who, exactly, do you mean by "those people"?

Lirun said...

what about all the non british reports..

Anonymous said...

I think that the media of this region sure do print it (bile) about others but they tend to not take it very well when it's directed at them.

I agree 100%. Arab media have a "can dish it out but cant take it" attitude.

PE. I dont trust them either!

Proud Emirati said...

Can someone enlighten me about the anti-western bile in the UAE media? I wish it was even though I don't see that in reality.

Kyle said...

Proud Emirati:

I believe you need home grown, not imported, journalists for that. And judging by the existing meager stock, I doubt any one possesses (journalistic) vision or intellect.

Moreover, if there was one, I know I'd be willing to read, understand, accept and debate instead of heading out to outright debunk all that was written, as slander, lie, etc.

Anonymous said...

Kyle, Journalists have intellect? I have family (women) members who have studied this "decline" and it is akin to finger painting.

As a very small country (citizen wise) we churn out what is most needed 1st, then move down the line. Annoying people to bitch in the media is not a top priority. CPAs, Petro Chemical Engineers... are. You see what I'm saying?

It's all about importance. And journalism isnt that important. If anything it's as much of a distraction as TV to your everyday life.

That being said, read this, you might like it:

http://al-emarati.blogspot.com/search/label/journalism%20uae%20news

unJane said...

I thought it was more to do with the fact that they'd recently been in the area with their begging bowl.....

Kyle said...

So Blessing, where can I find, read this-rebel-with-a-cause Mustafa Al Zarouni's English articles?

And don't tell me that I have to learn Arabic, okay?

Thanks for the link too.

Anonymous said...

Kyle said...
So Blessing, where can I find, read this-rebel-with-a-cause Mustafa Al Zarouni's English articles?

And don't tell me that I have to learn Arabic, okay?

Well Im sorry to say he is an Arabic writer, in an Arab country... so... "logic train"

This is the cold hard truth. the Arabic media is where all the real stories, contraversies, and decitions are made. Every English paper, radio station, or TV channel, is just the crumbs for the foreigners. FACT.

You would be VERY surprised as to what is talked about and debated on the Arabic channels. But you will never know, And that is sad.

Why does "good" journalism = English? It doesnt. So yes, LEARN ARABIC.

Emirati said...

كس امهم عيال قحبة شايفينلي أعمارهم أونهم هم اللي بيحرون العالم والله نحن الغلطانين اللي عطيناهم ويه!!!

Anonymous said...

Emarati, Yes, it is our fault.

Al-ain Rose said...

كس امهم عيال قحبة شايفينلي أعمارهم أونهم هم اللي بيحرون العالم والله نحن الغلطانين اللي عطيناهم ويه!!!

couldn't you be more creative in expressing your anger? especialy you are using a nickname of Emaratie, so plz ... :)
LOL!
هدو بلييز. اعصابكم :)

Al-ain Rose said...

I really can't see why my comments don't show up ! I'm not saying offensive words like others !! uff!

samuraisam said...

uff!!1111

It takes time for comments to appear because a human has to go through them and approve/disapprove them. Have some patience.

Anonymous said...

Hello,

This is a follow-up.

A local writer, Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi (Op Ed The National) answer to the article in the independent:

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/sultan-sooud-al-gassemi-if-you-think-dubai-is-bad-just-look-at-your-own-country-1666748.html

His blog is here apparently http://sultansq.blogspot.com/

and the answer to the answer:

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/johann-hari-how-to-spot-a-lame-lame-argument-1667373.html

It's getting interesting to see if the two of them will start a word war :)

Anonymous said...

The UK government must have stepped back due to some sinister reason of its own... see the following link from Emirates Business 247 website where the UK secretary is praising Dubai Metro sky high... guys it's not funny... look beyond the headlines....
Mandelson praises Dubai Metro Project
http://business24-7.ae/Articles/2009/4/Pages/11042009/04122009_7f33bf0c4d85415e974eaee9bbe19c5a.aspx

unJane said...

Well, I'm sorry to say I haven't learned Arabic in all the years I've been here so went to a google site to translate 'Emirati's post -

"Pussy whore Haevinley Eiyal important age who are Oounam Bihron the world and God, we Algltanin that Wei Attiynahm"

Guess it needs some work ;-)

Lirun said...

whoa - i dont know how it can be said that journalists are not important.. they are absolutely vital! much more important that chemical engineers thats for sure..

whether or not you want a democratic regime - journalism remains a pillar of society and has immense power.. if you appoint finger painters to be your journalists this will impact directly on the quality of society..

this is no laughing matter..

Anonymous said...

"Pussy whore Haevinley Eiyal important age who are Oounam Bihron the world and God, we Algltanin that Wei Attiynahm"

Please tell me this isnt the quality that the all mighty GOOGLE came up with!

Lirun. No, Journalists are basically annoying people who studied finger painting and have nothing better to do than bitch, or kiss ass. In the UAE, its mostly the latter.

Mind you both those functions are meaningless and had these finger painters studied something real... preferably that included numbers, they wouldnt be so annoying.

Whats my beef with journalists? Me fiance is studying media and journalism at uni in Dubai. Oh God it's like 9th grade... but with less decipline. If that is the "training" these people get, I want them all slaughtered before they have a chance to write a single word of dribble.

samuraisam said...
uff!!1111

It takes time for comments to appear because a human has to go through them and approve/disapprove them. Have some patience.

And why oh why, when we are talking about the press (and to some degree freedom of) is this blog censored? Hum?

samuraisam said...

ABIT: "And why oh why, when we are talking about the press (and to some degree freedom of) is this blog censored? Hum?"

You of all people are really asking that question?

Let me jog your memory:
We have been forced to temporarily enable comment moderation due to the behaviour of a former member of UAE Community blog, A Blessing in Tragedy (ABIT).

ABIT was removed as a member after posting hardcore pornography recently; fortunately it was removed quickly. Since then he has continued to post a range of abusive comments, ranging from insults and obscentities to threats of actual violence against members and their families including threats to rape 9 year old girls; he also did not hesitate to mention that he has a 3 digit numberplate.


Idiot.

In any case comment moderation is completely normal in order to prevent problems from arising if there are no admins around. It's practically normal on most news websites, and probably less than 1 out of 50 comments gets denied, the majority of the denied comments are usually some form of SEO or advertising.

Also, people think that there comment is going to be denied, so they don't write stupid crap, which means less after-the-fact deleting.

Anonymous said...

You of all people are really asking that question?

Nah, I just wanted to make sure I was still the sole reason why your blog is wrapped in hypocrisy!

But i know you love me as only you can!

Al-ain Rose said...

و مسوين روحكم محترمين؟
و تبون الاجانب يحترمونكم؟
احترموا نفسكم اول عشان يحترمونكم
يونه برونوغرافي و ابيوز كومينتس
ما شاالله
لا و الفان بارت انكم تتكلمون عن الدين
مساكين

amazingsusan said...

I also posted an open letter to Mr Hari on my blog at:
http://www.amazingwomenrock.com/myblog/an-open-letter-to-johann-hari-of-the-independent.html

Anonymous said...

Oh, and as I recall, it was SOFTCORE porn, and I didnt threaten to rape a 9 year old. I threatened to rape the mother and carve her name in the forehead of the 9 year old.

Cheers!

Al Ain rose. Bass ya umm al za3eem. Go and celebrate the win and stop harassing me and my ways! :-P

Dubai Jazz said...

Ah, ok. So you live in an Arab country where the official language is Arabic and the general medium for media is Arabic, and then you so comfortably opine that the stock is meager when it comes to UAE journalism………

As I’ve always argued: spare just few of them (like Robert Fisk or Michael Slackman) there’s always this inherent racist, colonial, and patronizing tone to most of the western journalists who writes about the Middle East.

Anonymous said...

Dubai Jazz , The level at which logic is blatantly discarded on here, and with most westerners baffles me. And to think it was them who taught us what logic was.

Al-ain Rose said...

I threatened to rape the mother and carve her name in the forehead of the 9 year old.
...
bass? Awww!!,, sorry , we missunderstoond you!!, forgive us, you really kesart khatry wallah O_o'

Al Ain rose. Bass ya umm al za3eem. Go and celebrate the win and stop harassing me and my ways! :-P

no no .. I'm just trying to make u a lovable & tactful person, trying to improve ur UGLY way of debate ! humm .. thats one of the many services I offer, may I help ? and yeah I celebrated the win, but I couldn't invite you, I beg ur pardon, criminals are not allowed ! salam !!

Al-ain Rose said...

you know... it's a frustrating thing not to see my posts appear. come on !!.. even when get angry I do curse in a neat and civil way :D:D:D so don't remove mine :) deal? ...

Anonymous said...

Al-ain Rose said...
I threatened to rape the mother and carve her name in the forehead of the 9 year old.
...
bass? Awww!!,, sorry , we missunderstoond you!!, forgive us, you really kesart khatry wallah O_o'

Ok, I will admit, I "might" have some issues. I dont believe I do, but then again... the fact that I still see my therapist might mean something else. I've been in denial for 11 years.

ANYWAYS!

Pft. You couldnt invite me? I wouldnt have come! I hate Al Ain. Just do, no real reason. I just find myself rooting for ANYONE else whenever they are playing.

I used to play Ping Pong (DO NOT LAUGH) for Al Jazeera, so they have a soft place in my heart... even though they suck.

Ugly? Explain. I never say anything that isnt truthful, and I try, and for the most part (unless provoked) keep personal and racial attacks off the books.

So being truthful is now "ugly?"

And your 'celebration" included....? being annoying in "bu shanabs" while making the poor things backfire and crowding up Abu Dhabi's streets?

Al-ain Rose said...

A Tragedy in blessing, opps, I mean ABIT: "kidding"
First of all, leme comment on what u said about Al-ain ? do u really hate Al-ain ?>.<' Oh my !! no no tell me ur kidding? There is no Emarati on earth hates our lovely city!! But, since Al-ain Dar Ezzain, and you don't belong to Al-zzain by all means:P , then, no blame dear, ..Or u mean al-ain team ? if so .. then ,,, what to do? Jealousy is not something new ! muahaha,,



I just find myself rooting for ANYONE else whenever they are playing.
.......
Oh!, even if the other team was called "expacts" :D, I bet ur Wa7dawi !!!! such a jealous!! We don't need ur support but whenever u feel like getting involved in the enawi nation, ur welcome, after ur done with ur therapy course, of course :)

.................

I used to play Ping Pong (DO NOT LAUGH) for Al Jazeera, so they have a soft place in my heart... even though they suck.

Lucky u .. I always wanted to play it. I guess if I were a boy, I would be the ping pong champion of the UAE *sniff* :(





And your 'celebration" included....? being annoying in "bu shanabs" while making the poor things backfire and crowding up Abu Dhabi's streets?
.....................
Well, Hummmm, since we are Enawies,, , we can do whatever we would like * cough*, and if you don't like it, get back to …humm no no ur already in Abu Dhabi, get back to where? Ok, if u don't like it, get out of Abu Dhabi :D:D:D, more appropriate:D,

Ugly? Explain. I never say anything that isnt truthful, and I try, and for the most part (unless provoked) keep personal and racial attacks off the books.
………………………………..
,but honestly, from ur post, you're the one being provocative,I see ur such a good and educated person, but really no need to offend and verbally abuse each other, lets show them that we have a good sportsmanship, debate, relply and argue, but remain calm, rational, and reasonable at all times ,

u just can't force them to love us or to believe in what we believe in, they have their own culture, thoughts and beliefs, so , ur just wasting ur time.

Bass, that's all what I wanted to say.*yawning*

Al-ain Rose said...

one more thing guyz, a tips to avoid deleting ur pots ..is to end whatever u write with * kidding* or "I'm just trying to be funny".. by this, u'll be able to send the messege without having ur posts deleted or not accepted :D, I think it works :D
I hope this shows up O_o
hehe

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