Law does not give journalists 'free rein'

Dubai: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, warned that a new press law is not all about granting special privileges to the press as journalists remain professionally and ethically bound to pursue accuracy and authenticity.

"A new law approved by the UAE Cabinet protects journalists from imprisonment if they commit a mistake in the course of their work," Shaikh Mohammad told media leaders, according to WAM.

"Though the law replaced imprisonment with financial penalty, this does not mean that journalists can write and publish whatever they wish as they remain professionally and ethically bound to pursue accuracy and authenticity," Shaikh Mohammad said.

Shaikh Mohammad said journalists bear full responsibility for any material published in the media, and thus have to ensure its authenticity. "Journalists have to rise to the trust put in them and communicate only honest and convincing information to the public."

Shaikh Mohammad received at his palace on Monday leaders of local, Arab and foreign media organisations, who offered their greetings on the occasion of Ramadan. Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister and Chairman of the National Media Council, was present during the meeting. Shaikh Mohammad engaged his guests in a lengthy and open dialogue on the educational and supervisory role of the media.

The media leaders expressed their appreciation of Shaikh Mohammad's support of the media and freedom of expression, referring to his recent decision banning imprisonment of journalists for reasons related to the discharge of their duties.

The media leaders cited the positive reaction to Shaikh Mohammad's decision from media circles worldwide.

Discussion also touched on the 'Dubai Cares' initiative launched by Shaikh Mohammad, which aims at putting one million children in poor countries around the world through primary school. Shaikh Mohammad said: "It is our duty to reach out to the poor and destitute all over the world. It is a religious duty and also stems from our Arab and Islamic heritage."

Responsible freedom is the key

Dubai: Members of the media praised His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for issuing instructions that journalists in the UAE would not be imprisoned for doing their job.

Media professionals said the decision gives journalists more freedom, but stressed that journalists should show more responsibility and respect people's privacy.

Abdullah Rasheed, Executive Managing Editor of the local news of the Al Ittihad daily, said: "This decision reflects Shaikh Mohammad's deep commitment to promote the press as a fourth estate."

He added Shaikh Mohammad's decision serves as a huge boost to the media. "But journalists have to show constant commitment to their professional ethics."

Issues

Mona Bu Samra, secretary general of the Journalists association, said the decision gives journalists more security and encourages them to pursue and raise issues freely, while committed to ethics of the profession.

Najla Al Awadi, deputy CEO of the Dubai Media Incorporated, said Shaikh Mohammad has always supported freedom of the press, but he said freedom was a responsibility and so the media should practise "responsible freedom".

Al Awadi said journalists should be careful about social harmony and "as such freedom must be practised with responsibility towards the greater good."