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‘UAE society moving towards freedom of Press’

DUBAI — The concept of the Press freedom is being rapidly comprehended by the different sections of the UAE society marking the transition towards democracy, said Mohammed Yousef, Chairman of Journalists Association yesterday.

Commenting on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day today, Yousef told Khaleej Times that unlike in the past the different parties including the government and private sector have shown more respect for the right of journalists to have access to information and publish facts.

He said that this fact is reflected in the reduction in the numbers of cases and complaints filed against reporters in the country.

“From the beginning of this year until today, the Association did not receive any notification about complaints filed against journalists. Whereas during the first half of last year there were between seven to eight complaints some of them reaching court phase," he noted.

Elaborating about the change in the attitude of the different sectors towards reporters, the Association started recently receiving enquiries from different parties about problems they have with journalists asking if they have the right to sue them.

Recognising the defensive and supportive role played by the Association, different parties opted to seek its opinion before taking any action against journalists, he noted adding, “The UAE society is rapidly changing and moving towards democracy and the freedom of Press. The different parties are now having a clear vision that we do not easily go to police or the court. If we go there, we go with the support of our rights and we accordingly claim their enforcement. We strictly care about the freedom of press which is supported by the country's top officials.”

Yousef wished that the draft Press Law will be approved before the commencement of the next World Press Freedom Day. The draft law was submitted through the relevant authorities for its issuance. "We need to have the necessary legislation for maintaining the freedom of press. The draft law includes rights and obligations of journalists. Its clauses replace a set of 56 clauses included in the currently enforced Press and Publication law according to which journalists are prohibited from tackling certain areas," he noted.

Yousef welcomed the formation of the National Media Council, which will replace the Ministry of Information which was cancelled in the recent Cabinet formation.

"We are looking to have a council that intrinsically governs the rights and obligations of journalists. We do not wish to have a council that turns its mission into an authority that just controls journalists. The council is expected to legalise the freedom of press and ensure its appropriate implementation," he noted.