Freedom of the Press moves us forward
We all know that freedom of speech and expression is one of our basic rights and freedom of the Press is especially important to protect these rights (‘Bahrain pledges support to proactive media’, Gulf News, May 3). World Press Freedom Day is celebrated on May 3 every year. This day has been recognised to reaffirm the fundamental principles that ensure freedom of the press globally, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and pay tribute to those journalists who have lost their lives.
I guess the media has been an integral forum for all those who needed a platform to speak their minds and those whose problems never have been recognised. Though the media may have abused its freedom at times to get ahead of each other in delivering news at the earliest, it has always served mankind since time immemorial. I salute all those journalists, especially the ones who have been through tough times, for sacrificing a lot of comforts, time and even their safety, for our awareness and for those people who need an outreach. If there was no Press, many of us wouldn’t have been able to speak our thoughts out loud. Press freedom is something to be cherished always.
From Ms Maria Vincent
Dubai
Brutality of boxing
This is in reference to the Gulf News article by Fawaz Turki on the boxing match extravaganza that happened a few days ago (‘Boxing’s big day for ‘bout of the century’, Gulf News, May 2). It’s crime against humanity. Opinions may differ, but I believe that it is a brutal sport reminding us of the Stone Age when we lived in the violent ways of living, killing and indulging in all brutal activities. Whether T. S. Eliot practised boxing lessons in Boston or Ezra Pound sparred in his studio apartment, boxing is inhuman and, in a way, man’s inhumanity to man.
In which way can it be called a ‘creative sport’? One time they were thinking about banning this violent sport, which was a ‘humane’ idea. What creative function can violence perform?
I totally disagree with the violent notions of Turki.
From Mr Thomas Matthew Parackel
Kerala, India
No flexibility in digital era
It may appear sometimes the topic of a digital revolution is overhyped with many claiming the future world would witness all paper forms, whether they are books or documents, slowly start disappearing (‘Facebook debate: Is it time to go completely digital?’, Gulf News, April 3). I think such claims should be taken with a grain of salt because when radio became a popular communication tool some predicted the end of newspapers. Later the onset of televisions got many wondering whether electronic media would replace books as a traditional form of entertainment and a means of gaining knowledge. However, on both occasions those fears proved to have been misplaced and people continued to subscribe to newspapers and kept buying books for leisure and educational purposes.
Still, the digital explosion in the past few years, offering innovative services like fast broadband internet connectivity, the introduction of electronic gadgetry such as smartphones, tablets that enable virtual social networking capability besides numerous applications that allow people to transfer data in a secure manner, have seen the use of paper forms being reduced to a large extent.
But in spite of all this, I doubt that paper books and newspapers are going to completely disappear in the near future. I believe no digital device such as a tablet can offer the flexibility a paperback version of a novel or newspaper do.
From Mr V. I. Mohammad Sageer
UAE
Textbooks minimise distractions
The option for paper has to be given. Firstly, digital media is evolving every day and often we exhaust ourselves trying to keep up with it. This definitely is one drawback when we have too much e-material around us. The older generation cannot be compelled to get used to something they cannot comprehend.
Secondly, as far as ebooks replacing textbooks are concerned, from my experience in the education field, I have seen and heard the negative impact of ebooks. The hands-on experience of taking down notes and reading from texts is lost in this format. Often with the ebook open in tabs, it is difficult for the teacher to gauge if the student is attentive or browsing through other sites! Textbooks, in this case, are definitely the solution.
Learning to use the digital media should be promoted, but not pushed or forced upon. There are avenues where going paperless is easier to handle. Eventually, a day might come when paper and books are completely replaced by digital media. But, it will ring the death knell for sprawling libraries, treasures that books are and also such habits like reading and writing. As such, the handwriting of children these days resembles a haphazardly written doctor’s prescription of the yesteryears.
So in short, digital media can be embraced slowly and not forced upon.
From Ms Sumitha.A
Dubai
What is the true price?
Still, rental prices are too high even with factors lowering rental hikes (‘Multiple factors finally rein in Dubai’s rental hikes’, Gulf News, May 2). I don’t feel that people really understand or know what the exact rental prices should be. Obviously it depends on the location, but this won’t truly change unless serious action is taken in this sector by the authorities.
From Mr Abdul Jaleel
UAE
Website comment
Social media in a student’s life
As we all know the world is changing a lot and it’s not the same as before when new technology started to come. In these days, a person or a student without involving in any social media are hard to find. If he or she doesn’t have a social media account, they think its really a shame for them.
I am a student in grade 10, and I would guess that around 95 per cent of my class is involved in social media and two or three per cent are not involved. The rest of them are addicted to these platforms! Some parents don’t even bother themselves with it; they care only if their child is studying well. That’s the attitude of parents of this generation.
I feel like often, parents don’t even know about their daughter or son’s involvement in social media. Due to all these factors in between, they don’t have time to love their parents or their siblings because they all are involved in these social platforms.
Parents should check about their friends and their social accounts because we don’t know when and where children are turning to otherwise. Always keep a limit to whatever you use.
From Ms Sredha Mathew
Dubai
Chances for reform in convicts
I condemn Indonesia’s execution of the convicts who were collectively referred to as the Bali 9 (‘Bodies of executed Australians arrive home’, Gulf News, May 3). This is coming from a person who is generally in favour of the death penalty. In cases where human lives have been taken away by specific individuals, I truly believe those responsible should pay with their lives. However, smuggling drugs cannot be compared to murder!
The Bali 9 convicts were undoubtedly at fault, engaging in a criminal activity. They deserved imprisonment, but did they deserve to die? A prison is a correctional facility. Inmates are punished for their respective crimes via incarceration. I was under the impression that the time spent locked up is to try to reform them, so that they can go back into the world as better citizens.
In the case of Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan, they were obviously repenting and thoroughly reformed! Chan turned to religion and Sukumaran turned to art: each having a positive impact on the people around them. Both were an excellent example of the very objective of the worlds’ legal systems.
As free men, they could have changed the lives and possibly the futures of many others they may have come into contact with. But they are gone now. At least two potential ambassadors of positive change and reform have now been put to rest in coffins that bore their names since well before the tools of their execution were even prepared.
It is ironic that stringently following the judicial system eventually led to justice being lost!
From Mr Arnab Ghosh
UAE
Only parents are responsible!
Reference is made to the various comments regarding the safety of children in highrise buildings in the UAE. In my opinion, nobody except the parents can be held responsible for the safety of children. It is the prime responsibility and duty of each parent to look after the safety of their children, whether it is indoor or outdoor. On the street, malls and other public places, we frequently witness children unattended while parents are engaged in shopping and other activities. First comes the safety of children and all other things are secondary.
Being a parent, one must understand the importance of the safety of children and if a parent cannot bear such a responsibility and an attitude to look after them, I suggest that they must postpone becoming a mother or father until they are prepared mentally to discharge their responsibilities as a real parent!
From Mr Radhakrishnan Nair K.
Dubai
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