10 August, 2009
Our rights as bloggers
Can I get into trouble for making a personal remark(on my blog) about any person or company over a certain incident that I might have witnessed especially when that person or company does not like what I said.....
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21 comments:
IANAL: It depends on who this person or company may be and what you may have witnessed.
If it's shameful for the person (damaging for his reputation etc..) well he could either beat the hell out of you in the desert with a cattle prod or sue you for libel in which case you would have to trust your blog host not to disclose your identity if it's not readily available. (*cough* google *cough* china *cough*).
If you do make it to court the burden of proof will most likely be on you so you'd better have ammunition to prove whatever it is you've said. You'll need a lawyer.
Now since we're in the UAE you need to add a few twists to the law depending on whether said person or company may or may not be of UAE decent or may or may not have a certain amount of wasta.
I'm assuming you saw something important. If you can back it up with documents you can always try wikileaks.
Otherwise you can try to get in touch with Mohammad Yousuf, President of the UAE Journalists' Association, who said that bloggers who follow the journalism code of ethics will be defended by the association. (LOL, you should see how journalist I know I scared of litigation in this country)
Otherwise send it to secretdubai since he/she/it lives in the maquis already that shouldn't be much burden to publish your stuff :)
otherwise nice teaser, when does the movie come out?
you could write up your blog and then keep your fingers crossed? ;)
People bitch and moan about the UAE and everything in it - ALL THE TIME!
seriously, as long as you don't say anything disrespectful about the country itself, the rulers, the culture and the customs, you should be ok...
Nothing against the country or its culture or its rulers...
A private entity and its owner....basically having a laugh over something that a person did and posting it on the blog with the persons name and pictures....
I have found that, for the most part, common sense works.
You know what gets blogs banned (ie. secretdubai.blogspot.com) You know what gets published (look at this blog).
And yes, there is always the risk that some crazy Emirati decides that you have offended him and makes a lot of noise about it.. but then, what are the chances of the few Emirati's who will be reading your blog will have a crazy one in their midst? :)
and as long as they are not lies ...
Remember that you need a person's permission to photograph him/her.
PE....no lies, just a general comment on how the person looked.
Seabee....even at an event that person was performing at??
keep in mind that while the blog may pertain to your life as you see it in the uae.. its likely to be hosted by an american company.. and in any event (unless its private) it is likely to be viewable all around the world.. the world in essence is your potential audience..
keeping that in mind you should also be aware that you may impact that person's reputation - not just in the UAE - but beyond..
i suggest you act responsibily and respectfully.. keeping in mind that the truth of something you write is not always sufficient to defend you against claims that you have defamed someone..
if you have to write about someone in particular - i would ask myself how important it is to me that the world be exposed to this specific opinion and if the opinion is unfavourable - i prefer to find ways that anonymise the person.. i also take the time in advance to consider how i can balance my views and avoid doing someone else injustice just because of a reckless thought i have had..
people here touched on the issue of insulting local people of substantial standing and status.. in each country the laws regarding freedom of speech vary..
:) all clear now?! haha
Although what everyone said is true, if this company is owned by someone VERY up there, yeah, it might be a problem for you. In the UAE everything is possible.
And anyone I don't agree with is obviously a lie.
Stained, I guess it depends whether the person complains to the cops.
Well this has nothing to do with what I witnessed but a fellow blogger that was threatened to be taken to court cause the blogger was poking fun(in a post made last week) at a specific person (because of the way he was dressed which made that person look ridiculous) who was performing at an event that the blogger was attending...
The blog post was removed not because of the threat but out of respect for someone else who was being harassed by that weirdly dressed person....
Anonymous @ 12:18.... The way the person was dressed was enough damage to his reputation....seriously. ;)
Lirun...I suppose keeping the name anonymous would make sense but a picture had to be posted just to show the ridiculous shiny outfit the person was wearing that would have warranted the need to wear sun glasses indoors.
Seabee...people take thousands of pictures at public events. Getting possibly sued for posting a picture with a statement stating the obvious seems kinda dumb to me. If people who are public figures can't take minor criticism, then they deserve to go stick their head into the sand.
Anyway I shall call this person the Golden Disco ball man of Dubai....
Shocking to read
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/09/AR2009080902421.html?hpid=topnews
“ He said he fled Dubai because of gruesome threats by Dubai police interrogators to stick needles up his nose and what he described as constantly shifting, and all bogus, accusations relating to bullets, murder and the finances of Dubai World's now-defunct luxury submarine subsidiary. !!! “
It's not rocket science who you're talking about!
stained... are we getting a post or no? so far, all i'm hearing is noise...!
(i'm thinking, the rant probably doesn't seem worth it after 24 hours, does it?) =)
i*maginate...I don't want it to be rocket science....
hemlock....Just google 'the Golden Disco ball man of Dubai....'
Cached version can be found on other search engines. Also available on Google if you delve a bit deeper.
I wouldn't think there much risk in writing something like this (in any other country); it's basically your typical tabloid content critiquing a musician/actors/models clothing choice.
I'm curious to see pictures though (cache is text only).
I do think given the event and the organisation involved it would be wise to not write about just out of good nature though.
I would love to provide a picture...but well it's a little of an issue....hmm....
If you really feel that you should write about 'something' for the benefit of others, you better make sure that its not a false allegation and try not to mention the entity.
We don't even know our standard rights as residents, so what do you think of being a blogger? Unless you are not staying in this city, you 'may' get away with it if you are posting some facts to the public w/o the fear of being penalized. For obvious reason, no one want to be thrown into a prison for something you think it's insignificant but it pose a big threat to others.
Due with own diligence than be sorry!
Dubai Healthcare City buildings are created to certain regulations and guidelines in order to meet quality standards.
it's unappropriate to host such inaccurate and defamatory content.
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