JEDDAH, 27 February 2007 — Attendees, authorities and volunteers complained yesterday, the second day of the Jeddah Economic Forum, from the behavior of the many of the members of the print media who were covering the event.
Many of the journalists and the reporters refused to sit on the chairs in the back rows reserved for them. They fought their way to reach the VIP seats in the front rows.
Some were seen asking the ushers inside the hall — where the main session is held — to bring them soft drinks, coffee and sometimes copies of different newspapers.
“People from the audience including some VIPs said that they felt the media is here to fight,” said 20-year old volunteer Sara Bakhashwain. “On the opening night, when Prince Faisal ibn Abdul Majeed finished his speech, reporters and photojournalists suddenly jumped on the stage and surrounded him. We had to call for security intervention to break up the crowd.”
She also mentioned that some reporters were helpful, motivating, taking their positions as they were told, some were nice to the guests, but the majority were rude and uncooperative. An aggressive and well-known reporter in her mid-forties physically attacked a member of the JEF organizing committee.
“I respect the fact that reporters need to do their job, but they must abide by the rules and regulations,” said the female committee member who asked not to be named. “Because of tight security procedures and the convenience of VIPs we can’t just allow the reporters to do as they please.”
She also noted that JEF provided a media city as an alternative for journalists to attend press conferences, ask questions and take photos of the speakers and the delegates.
The journalists grumbled about the table-less chairs available for the media inside the hall. They also complained about the inaccessibility to the speakers either to conduct interviews or to take pictures.
The 23-year old leader of the ushering committee, Mashael Al-Mintahk, said that the ushers and the volunteers were trained to do the best they could to assist and help the audience including the reporters, “but the reporters were so rude regardless of the girls’ efforts,” she said.
The chair of the media committee involved in training the ushers, Amal Elyas, said that the volunteers — boys and girls — were trained on how to handle difficult and angry people, how to listen to the audience, and how to resolve the problems smoothly.
“I told the volunteers that they mustn’t go for verbal battles when they deal with aggressive people. Dialogue is more constructive,” she said.
“But the journalists were so uncooperative. Even the ushers in the men’s section called me complaining. The male reporters had friends from the security forces and were using their connections to do as they please. The ushers can’t of course disagree with an armed security man.”
A Chinese reporter in her mid-forties wanted to forcefully enter the men’s hall when Maram Al-Balbisi, a 31-year old member of the organizing committee, tried to stop her. Al-Balbisi said that the reporter was so pushy and wanted to interview the men’s delegation despite the rules that prohibit women from entering the men’s hall.
The organizing members asked the journalist whom she wanted to meet or interview so they could arrange a press conference for her in the media city, she refused to answer or explain.
“Journalists have a mission and they have to do it even if it’s against the rules,” the Chinese reporter said fiercely.
Lamees Madani, 36, and Dania Al-Maeena, 28, members of the ushering committee said that everyone had a very negative image of the press during the JEF.
“This is an international event and we must reflect a good image to our guests,” said Madani. Dania tried to resolve the issue of another displeased reporter.
“I don’t talk to kids,” the reporter attacked her. “I’m going to address the JEF chairman. I don’t want children telling me where to sit and what to do.”
Editorial director of Okaz Ebtihaj A. Menyawe said to Arab News commenting on the attitude of the journalists covering JEF that media representatives are obliged to be professional in fulfilling their job.
“Hostile attitude and uncooperativeness reflect the person’s character and not his profession,” she said. “Reporters must have relaxed nature and accept criticism and rejection.
It’s part of being in the media to be able to cope with difficult situations. A professional journalist must focus her energy on integral competition, creative writing and not waste her talent being resentful and angry.”
