Excerpts from "Call for creation of journalists' association in Qatar", published February 16, 2008 in Gulf News.com
Media experts have called for the creation of a journalists' association in Qatar to discuss and protect journalists' rights and denounce abuses.
Representatives of media freedom watchdogs holding a number of workshops during the past two weeks have urged local journalists to establish an organisation to defend their rights.
Media experts have called for the creation of a journalists' association in Qatar to discuss and protect journalists' rights and denounce abuses.
Representatives of media freedom watchdogs holding a number of workshops during the past two weeks have urged local journalists to establish an organisation to defend their rights.
However there are challenges faced by the Qatar Media:
"But journalists said the country's legislation hinders the creation of professional associations for non-Qataris, who represent the majority of the professionals working in the field.
"But even the fact that foreign journalists, who are the majority, cannot create a professional organisation of their own, is an issue hindering freedom of debate," said a reporter who asked not to be named.
"Without a free media there cannot be free elections," said Ali Al Merri, secretary general of the National Human Rights Committee.
Yahia Shukkeir, an expert with the Jordan-based Amman Centre for Human Rights Studies:
Shukkeir observed that 26 articles in the Qatari Press Law envisage fines, detentions and punishing measures against journalists that hinder media freedom and contribute to the practice of self censorship.
"A free media needs professional journalists, codes of ethics and an appropriate legislation. Any violation of these three conditions is a violation of the right of the public to know," he said.
Journalists attending the course argued they find it difficult to work in an environment where many officials and public servants ignore the right of the public to seek, receive and impart information, as per the international covenants on human rights. "Journalists try to do their best to avoid direct and indirect pressures from officials.
Read the complete article: "Call for creation of journalists' association in Qatar" ~ Gulf News.com
Media experts have called for the creation of a journalists' association in Qatar to discuss and protect journalists' rights and denounce abuses.
Representatives of media freedom watchdogs holding a number of workshops during the past two weeks have urged local journalists to establish an organisation to defend their rights.
Media experts have called for the creation of a journalists' association in Qatar to discuss and protect journalists' rights and denounce abuses.
Representatives of media freedom watchdogs holding a number of workshops during the past two weeks have urged local journalists to establish an organisation to defend their rights.
However there are challenges faced by the Qatar Media:
"But journalists said the country's legislation hinders the creation of professional associations for non-Qataris, who represent the majority of the professionals working in the field.
"But even the fact that foreign journalists, who are the majority, cannot create a professional organisation of their own, is an issue hindering freedom of debate," said a reporter who asked not to be named.
"Without a free media there cannot be free elections," said Ali Al Merri, secretary general of the National Human Rights Committee.
Yahia Shukkeir, an expert with the Jordan-based Amman Centre for Human Rights Studies:
Shukkeir observed that 26 articles in the Qatari Press Law envisage fines, detentions and punishing measures against journalists that hinder media freedom and contribute to the practice of self censorship.
"A free media needs professional journalists, codes of ethics and an appropriate legislation. Any violation of these three conditions is a violation of the right of the public to know," he said.
Journalists attending the course argued they find it difficult to work in an environment where many officials and public servants ignore the right of the public to seek, receive and impart information, as per the international covenants on human rights. "Journalists try to do their best to avoid direct and indirect pressures from officials.
Read the complete article: "Call for creation of journalists' association in Qatar" ~ Gulf News.com
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