DUBAI, 3 October 2004 — The three main “dilemmas” influencing the information media in the Gulf are the rising public demand for greater freedom of expression, government-linked ownership and management of media organizations and punitive measures and administrative sanctions that are often used against media organizations and personnel.
This was the consensus that emerged from a workshop held in Dubai on Thursday under the title “Trends in the Gulf media: Between domestic needs and external pressures.” It was organized by the Dubai-based Gulf Research Center (GRC) and attended by directors of news agencies, editors-in-chief of major newspapers and director-generals of major television channels in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
The key theme evident in almost everyone’s presentation was that the information media in the GCC has assumed a vital role in contributing to sensitizing the people to and enlightening them about various critical issues. It remained a point of debate how far the media have been successful in rising to the challenge.
Also highlighted were the need to clearly define the terminology and concepts used by the media, critically examine its strengths, weaknesses and challenges, and the role it assumes in contributing to educating people on critical issues.
UAE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Information and Culture Saqr Ghabash pointed out that “prevailing conditions in the region place huge responsibilities on the different media in ways that touch on our raison d’être and the future of our children.”
Media leaders need to reflect carefully in order to evaluate the progress registered by the various media in the Gulf region and clearly define its weak and strong points, he added.
Abdulaziz Sager, chairman of the Gulf Research Center, said that a free and responsible media is an effective tool of influence and change thanks to the role it plays in shaping and orienting public opinion, as well as gauging public policies and disseminating awareness He emphasized that the credibility of the media is one of the most critical issues that ought to be placed on top of the GCC’s concerns. There was unanimous agreement on the three points that Sager summed as the three dilemmas facing the information media in the GCC — the scope of freedom citizens of the GCC countries demand to have in order to better express their concerns and aspirations; ownership and management of the different media outlets, which remain in most cases linked to government interests; and impact of a set of punitive measures and administrative sanctions imposed against some media organizations or against some of their staff.
He said: “The media in the GCC states (are) the target of two types of external pressure: first, direct pressure which unfold through hemming in and casting suspicion on the practices of the Gulf media. At times, the pressure goes as far as accusing the Gulf media of pronounced bias and instigating violence. Second, indirect pressure exerted by external powers on some ruling regimes in the region so that freedom of the media is curtailed, particularly when a media organization broaches the double-standard policies enacted by external powers toward Arab and Muslim issues.
