Draft media law: Journalists 'will insist on changes'

Dubai: The UAE Journalists Association reiterated their objection to some articles of the new media draft law and insisted that they would not change their stance. They arrived at this decision at the association's regular general assembly meeting held on Monday evening.

The new media draft law, was passed by the Federal National Council in January.

Mohammad Yousuf, Chairman of the UAE Journalists Association, had earlier said: "It has nothing to do with the concept of media; it contains 45 articles which don't provide a proper description of the media's duties and rights. Similarly, there are 10 articles which talk about penalties and punishments."

He added that there are some articles which are "unclear and they state that explanations can be found in the executive regulations."

Many of the articles are "vague," he said. "According to the draft law, the National Media Council (NMC) can revoke a newspaper's licence if an offence is repeated," Yousuf said. He hoped that the relevant authorities would consider the demands of journalists to promote a free media environment.

"We will continue to criticise the law," he had said.

Yousuf on Monday evening said: "We are particularly concerned about two points - one being revoking a newspaper's licence; and the other being the draft law not mentioning the fact that journalists cannot be jailed for reasons related to their duties."

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has issued instructions that no journalist is to be jailed for reasons related to his work, adding that there are other measures that may be taken against journalists who break the press and publication law.

Abdul Hamid Ahmad, Editor-in-Chief, Gulf News, said the association should continue their objection to the five articles in question and work on preventing the revocation of newspaper licences with or without a judicial order.

"Revoking newspaper licences contradicts with the freedom of press in general," he said.

Fareed Wajdi from Al Bayan Arabic daily, said the association's stand on the draft law must be stronger. He said the association must also keep an eye on various indicators regarding the law, even before it is passed, such as the interference of Human Rights Watch.

Yousuf said the association is working to establish a national committee for the initiative to teach ethical journalism.

Ebrahim Al Abed, Director-General of the National Media Council (NMC), highlighted the issue of Emiratisation in the media and said a committee has been formed consisting of editors-in-chief regarding the issue. "We need more contributions from all the association members to help us move this issue forward, as there are serious steps to activate it. We need more suggestions and ideas on how this can be achieved," he said.

Abdul Hamid Ahmad also suggested that the association organises annual conferences to bring together all its members to discuss vital topics, such as Emiratisation, freedom of the press, ethical issues and other topics related to the media.

The meeting also reviewed the association's administrative report for last year, in addition to the financial report, and approved them.