"Let's Give Freedom of Information a Future"

After tallg's comment, nothing more needs to be said. He nailed it.

Motherhood...The hardest job you'll ever love! : )

Surely newspapers being so harshly critical of a decision taken by TPTB is proof in itself that the press in Qatar has a lot of leeway?

---Please read our Community Guidelines before posting on Qatar Living. It will save us all a lot of pain :)

Fascinating article, thanks, PM!
Mandi

I don't think the original purpose of DCMF was to criticise Qatar and other ME countries. But part of the deal to be based in Qatar was that Qatar would start allowing more media freedom and journalist rights. But when these promises were reneged on, Menard got annoyed and turned his sites on Qatar. That's how I see it.

I would agree with almost everybody here,

1. Seek first to understand, then to be understood.
2. DCMF was created to start a change, not force a quick change.
3. People change slowly.
4. This is not France.

I'd suggest that Robert Menard slow down, learn a little about our collective psyche and culture, and read two books:

1. Malcolm Gladwell's The Tipping Point
2. Geoffrey A. Moore's Crossing the Chasm It's about technology adoption, but it applies to change here.

(Sorry, the books just came to my mind, and I think they would be helpful)

I'm afraid that Menard might be a bit of a "character" and may see cultural adaptation as capitulation.
Mandi

Yes, but since we can't edit it like wikipedia, we post a new modified copy each time, building on the previous post.

:)

I saw Mr Menard at the Conference devoted to The Press Freedom Day in Intercont on May 2. Such a smart and energetic person! By the way he was trozkist&leftist and those guys don't care about common differences between the West and East.I suppose Qatar shouldn't have dealt with him but things have gone very far and it does him credit!He is sustainable.8-)))

The Powers That Be

Regardless of what detractors say, I think everyone in Qatar and the Middle East should appreciate the efforts made by the DCMF. I mean, its the only organization of its kind in the entire region. And would it be fair for DCMF to be mum over censorship in Qatar and slam UAE? After reading the article posted on QL, I visited their website and found DCMF is doing loads of good in the world. But, maybe the region and local press is not yet ready for criticism. All of us hear rumors about stuff in this country but no newspaper dares report it because of censorship. And interestingly, Qatar was the only GCC state to have formally abolished press censorship way back in 1995. DCMF should continue its work and remain in Qatar because it shows that the high authorities here are very serious about press freedom in Qatar though editors may believe otherwise due to their own personal interests. Look at Al Jazeera. They damaged Qatar's foreign relations with many countries by their coverage but never did they speak about Qatar. Al Jazeera is brave as a lion to speak of starvation deaths in Darfur, Sudan or some other remote corner of the world. In all these years of existance, Al Jazeera has never reported on a single expatriate worker or laborer starving because of delayed or unpaid wages. It highlights conditions in refugee camps in Sri Lanka, Pakistan...but has it ever dared visit a labor camp in the Industrial Area. After all, those who live in labor camps in Qatar are also humans. In sharp contrast, DCMF has spoken against censorship in Qatar and addressed issues that were taboo before. Robert Menard is from France. And France has a long history of press freedom. There is no harm in employing a foreigner to head a Qatari organization. We see it everywhere- banks, oil and gas companies, private firms....Let's give DCMF a fair chance to succeed. I wonder whether these editors who write against DCMF have as much guts to oppose the Al Jazeera channel?

and now Qatar is under scrutiny, needlessly :)

I wish that:

1- We have perfectly free press.
2- sign up all treaties on the world wherever there is an international consensus.
3- no problems exists in Qatar.

and the list goes on and on.

Unfortunately, I became a disullioned citizen and I greatly believe in conspiracy theories, simply because no one can prove the opposite.

Moreover, my wishes do not exist anywhere.

I will be very glad upon closure of DCMF not because i hate free speech, which i don't, but because we are better off without it given the current situation.

May be wrong on my facts but is Qatar really in a way only 46 years old. I know, I know, don't shout me down it has been ages but I think you know what I mean.

I would be pissed of (sorry do not wish to offend here) if say a Hindu, Buddhist, Jew, Muslim tried to impose there ideas on my country, if it were 'new'. Look at the progress in this country; it is astounding.

If the Qataris are not ready for freedom of press/speech. So be it.

They have Al Jazeera which is ground breaking. Let them evolve when they want in the pace that suits them not the rest of the world.

I have seen what freedom of press can do and it is horrible.

I will hoist that up the flag pole and see who salutes it!!

The people in charge may want it but then what about the man on the street? They may not want it? It must be a difficult balancing act, to move forward but what if the 'common man' does not want it.

Most of the leaders have had a Western Education so have 'seen' the West but most have not. They must be scared.

I will hoist that up the flag pole and see who salutes it!!

popcorn....most Qataris have either lived and/or traveled abroad. They know very well how things work in other countries.
Some the 'Elite" although often Western educated, are, or so I have been told,either Nationalist or Islamist.

And yes, it is for sure a very difficult balancing act for the Ptb.

There is always hope......as God helps those who help themselves

I don't think any country has the right to impose their culture, views, religion and 'ways' on anybody else.

If you come to Australia, you live the Australian way.

I come to Doha, I respect your ways.

No shit. I do not want or desire anybodys religion/culture for me. I am happy.

I expect most feel like that.

I will hoist that up the flag pole and see who salutes it!!

I go for that too!

means:

men who are accused of rape, named and shamed and then not found guilty whilst the woman walks free.

Ditto with men/women who are accused of crimes against children.

ditto with people who are having 'affairs'.

Adresses being given

people being photographed whilst attending a funeral.

people being stalked for no reason.

Stuff freedom of press and speech, sometimes they should be gagged!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will hoist that up the flag pole and see who salutes it!!

popcorngirl..Awesome!

I go for "free & responsible" media.

gardarene, maybe I have not made myself clear. I did not speak of the actual freedom of press, but about the way it can be achieved.

There is always hope......as God helps those who help themselves

Ah but of course...true pikey style! :)

There is always hope......as God helps those who help themselves

popcorn...you must read more that the heading on wiki ....you see, it is contemporary slang for the "Irish"...now don't get me wrong...the Irish are great people...my best friend is Irish...but you, sadly are a pikey....:( obviously.....

There is always hope......as God helps those who help themselves

Yes, I guess that's the dilemma Qatar has - keep the DCMF on and accept the continued outbursts from Menard and co, or get rid of it and deal with the international embarrassment.

These "transitions" take time and effort from both sides - This is something especially Monsieur Menard has to understand. I am sure in the long run, Qatar will benefit.

No way...I know Robert Menard for long now as a French citizen and I can say how much he is aligned with some politics and agendas.
He will just do what his "chiefs" will tell him to do.

A good example was his intervention in a French radio about Guantanamo, he allegedly legitimated the torture, declaring that it was normal to use it against potential "terrorists", while our friend from Al Jazeera was detained there...
(see see in French (use translate tool if you need english translation)http://www.alterinfo.net/Quand-Reporters-sans-frontieres-legitime-la-torture_a11106.html)

If you find how his organization is funded (RSF or RWB in english), you will understand how this guy is not reliable, fair and certainly not objective in his reactions
( at http://www.alterinfo...)

As a global propaganda was going on against China, Mr "puppet" was rushing to interfere with the Olympics ceremonies to create a mess for his "bosses". Strangely, his actions have always followed same agenda.

Sorry, but when I knew he was coming to Doha, I also knew that it was time for troubles. Thanks for Al Sharq or Al Watan and freedom to tell some important facts and truth! A Freedom for the Press organization: yes of course, but with independant people heading it!