Manama: Qatar's much-anticipated media law is expected to be ready by the end of this year, the state minister for cabinet affairs has said.
Shaikh Nasser Bin Mohammad bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani said the proposed law would regulate the licensing of media outlets and define the duties and conditions related to this sector.
"There are many laws under consideration, such as the law on the media. The draft law has already been approved by the Cabinet. Now we are waiting for recommendations from government institutions and there are certain issues related with the Central Municipal Council and other sides," Shaikh Nasser said, quoted by Qatari daily The Peninsula.
"We expect all these laws, regulations and decrees to be accomplished during this year and enforced with immediate effect," he said.
However, Shaikh Nasser said that the media sector needed more Qatari staff.
"Frankly speaking, any sector that is not supported by native staff can cause misunderstandings among the community, particularly the news media that address both citizens and foreigners. So it is important for us to have nationals in the media, which is a very sensitive issue."
According to the minister, many Qataris are keen on joining this sector, but are put off by the unattractive salaries.
"The country needs to motivate Qataris to enter this sector in the same way it had encouraged them to launch projects in the private sector. I think the Qatari columnists are the most credible when they write about local issues. So we should raise professional standards and encourage Qataris to have the correct information on local topics," Shaikh Nasser said.
