Freedom centre that isn’t free

23 Jun, 2009  Annoyances, Random

I was so proud of the fact that Qatar has been taking leaps and bounds in terms of creating a nation that was free.

My country. Qatar. It was no longer the American dream, but the Qatari dream. A country where you could see a developing nation become what so many people had sought. Skyscrapers emerging from the sands; An education city that set the benchmark for the region; a King and Queen who wanted nothing but the best for their people.

I love the fact that Qatar is a blank page. It gives us the chance to take use our minds to draw the future we always wanted. I love the fact that my country is trying to create peace around the world. I could say that MY country cared.

When the Doha Media Freedom Centre was created, “wow!”, I thought, “Qatar’s opening minds now!”. How sad it is that the Centre is no more. How could it exist if there are still those that rely on keeping people blind? I don’t know who they are and I don’t know what the full story is, however at the end of the day if we’re to judge others, we open the door to be judged.

Click here to read ‘The Doha Media Freedom Centre is no more”.

2 Comments so far »

  1. A.W. said,

    Wrote on June 24, 2009 @ 12:26 am

    Wow. Do you think this interview (is this an ILQ exclusive or a reprint??) will change anything?

  2. Kei said,

    Wrote on June 24, 2009 @ 8:13 am

    I truley do hope that this is the catalyst for chance.

    (ILQ just reported on this first however it’s a release by DMFC. We’ll always aim to give people ‘live’ news.)

Comment RSS · TrackBack URI

Leave a Comment

Name: (Required)

E-mail: (Required)

Website:

Comment:

Freedom of Expression

    Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which the Qatari Government is a signatory of states: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any medias and regardless of any frontiers.

    The Emiri Decision Number 86 of the year 2007 on the establishment of the Doha Free Information Centre marked yet another step towards establishing a State of rights and freedom of speech. The decision stipulated that the Centre be a non-profit organization, headquartered in Doha City, and have the authority to establish other affiliated centres inside and outside Qatar. It is worth mentioning that His Highness the Emir issued a decision in 1998 annulling the ministry of information, giving birth to a new era of freedom of speech where censorship was removed from local media.