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Discuss this article (11 Comments)UAE suspends newspaper over 'horse doping' claims
by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Friday, 03 July 2009
FALSE CLAIMS: Warsan Stables is owned by members of the ruling family of Abu Dhabi. (Getty Images)
A UAE court ordered the suspension of a local newspaper after it published an article claiming horses owned by the Abu Dhabi ruling family were doped, a local daily said on Thursday.
The ruling, which was issued on Wednesday and can not be overturned, stipulates that Arabic-language Al-Emarat Al-Youm halt publication for 20 days, a verdict effective "within a few days," said the Abu Dhabi-based Al-Ittihad.
Al-Emarat Al-Youm, run by a media company under Dubai Holding, owned by Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashed Al Maktoum, in October 2006 published a front-page story accusing the Warsan Stables of using dope on horses.
Warsan Stables is owned by members of the ruling family of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, while Al-Emarat Al-Youm is one of the most widely read publications in the country.
READERS' COMMENTS
Disclaimer: The views expressed here by our readers are not necessarily shared by ArabianBusiness.com or its employees.
Mr. Hamdan
Posted by Omar, Dubai on Saturday 4 July 2009 at 23:49 UAE time
I strongly support the fact that journalists must go to court if they publish false stories that can harm anyone either directly or indirectly. However, you do not close the entire newspaper for that!! Let them pay a fine, let them apologize, let them correct the story, but closing the entire newspaper is something that does not help the reputation of UAE and does not develop its media and freddom of speech.
I am strongly against any rough / irresponsible media but you can not close a newspaper for an article. It's not the end of the world sir. I strongly support every attempt to develop media in this great country rather taking steps that undermine the freedom of speech.
Posted by Omar, Dubai on Saturday 4 July 2009 at 23:49 UAE time
I strongly support the fact that journalists must go to court if they publish false stories that can harm anyone either directly or indirectly. However, you do not close the entire newspaper for that!! Let them pay a fine, let them apologize, let them correct the story, but closing the entire newspaper is something that does not help the reputation of UAE and does not develop its media and freddom of speech.
I am strongly against any rough / irresponsible media but you can not close a newspaper for an article. It's not the end of the world sir. I strongly support every attempt to develop media in this great country rather taking steps that undermine the freedom of speech.
Reality...
Posted by Carlos Santana, Dubai, UAE on Saturday 4 July 2009 at 14:50 UAE time
Closing the newspaper for 20 days because of publishing some facts and news, does not serve the truth at all or freedom of speech. I am sure the newspaper did not publish the story without having reliable resources. However, If the story caused financial losses to the horse owners and the story was proved to be false and the newspaper was found guilty, then the newspaper must pay a fine. This will make the newspaper to be very cautious next time.
Now let me say one thing here: Why should the newspaper be punished only for publishing a story that has negative impact. Most journalists exaggerate in their stories. I have always read articles in local newspapers with amplified/false statistics that magnified the image of the object of the story. Now one said or expressed any opinions.
Posted by Carlos Santana, Dubai, UAE on Saturday 4 July 2009 at 14:50 UAE time
Closing the newspaper for 20 days because of publishing some facts and news, does not serve the truth at all or freedom of speech. I am sure the newspaper did not publish the story without having reliable resources. However, If the story caused financial losses to the horse owners and the story was proved to be false and the newspaper was found guilty, then the newspaper must pay a fine. This will make the newspaper to be very cautious next time.
Now let me say one thing here: Why should the newspaper be punished only for publishing a story that has negative impact. Most journalists exaggerate in their stories. I have always read articles in local newspapers with amplified/false statistics that magnified the image of the object of the story. Now one said or expressed any opinions.
Go to court
Posted by GD, Dubai, UAE on Saturday 4 July 2009 at 11:52 UAE time
If the story is untrue, take the newspaper/journalists to court and ask them to prove the story, providing evidence/sources. If they can not, then the newspaper can be punished by way of a steep fine and public apology. This will allow the offended party to clear their name, and teach the newspaper a lesson, and make them think twice before publishing any further controversial stories.
By temporarily closing down a newspaper, it almost points to an admission of guilt, and does not serve anyone any good
Posted by GD, Dubai, UAE on Saturday 4 July 2009 at 11:52 UAE time
If the story is untrue, take the newspaper/journalists to court and ask them to prove the story, providing evidence/sources. If they can not, then the newspaper can be punished by way of a steep fine and public apology. This will allow the offended party to clear their name, and teach the newspaper a lesson, and make them think twice before publishing any further controversial stories.
By temporarily closing down a newspaper, it almost points to an admission of guilt, and does not serve anyone any good
They should be closed for a reason
Posted by hamdan mohamed(hamdan@imail.ae), Dubai, UAE on Saturday 4 July 2009 at 00:27 UAE time
Well i disagree with you guys,
this is has nothing to do with dubai or censorship, since the news paper owned by the sheikh himself.
i know many issues cannot be talked about , but my question to you guys, what if a news paper write something not right about my company and made me lose millions??? Wont that hurt my business as well reputation? the brand name is very sensitive issue and what false climes it could bring a whole company down
so if the information is wrong they deserve it.
Posted by hamdan mohamed(hamdan@imail.ae), Dubai, UAE on Saturday 4 July 2009 at 00:27 UAE time
Well i disagree with you guys,
this is has nothing to do with dubai or censorship, since the news paper owned by the sheikh himself.
i know many issues cannot be talked about , but my question to you guys, what if a news paper write something not right about my company and made me lose millions??? Wont that hurt my business as well reputation? the brand name is very sensitive issue and what false climes it could bring a whole company down
so if the information is wrong they deserve it.
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