Open any newspaper and the first thing you see are pictures of our ministers all over the pages — some taking up a full page while others show the minister on a visit or inaugurating a new project.
I really see no reason why all these pictures should fill the pages of our local papers. Some officials seem to have developed a strong love of publicity to the extent that they embark on one visit after another, touring near and far, to open even the smallest project — all just to see their pictures the next day in the papers.
It is no wonder that people are no longer interested in statements made by officials while on these tours or when talking about the achievements of their departments. The same statements are repeated over and over, each one echoing what was said previously.
People realize that the statements are examples of wishful thinking and everything is left undecided and nothing solved. People want real achievements which they can see and understand. They want to see their children receiving good education, hospital with enough beds for patients, water and electricity reaching homes at affordable price, employment for their sons and daughters, the homeless, divorced and widows being cared for, their cities clean and safe and their roads much safer than they are. Only then will people respond with a smile when they see the picture of a minister taking up a full page in the paper.
We have been flooded with pictures and press releases from ministers; these are more numerous than actual achievements. No one objects to seeing a minister’s picture in the paper but at the same time, it is the right of every citizen to see their needs being given priority, and being taken care of, by the minister.
— Arab News Local Press 25 December 2003
