Crowds pledge loyalty to Premier
Thursday, October 07, 2004The frontpage headline story from today's GDN:
MANAMA: Crowds of people waving flags and throwing roses gave a rapturous welcome to the Prime Minister at his court yesterday.Citizens from Hidd and Muharraq pledged their loyalty and praised constitutional reforms, modernisation and democracy - instigated by Bahrain's wise leaders.
Really, our press needs to grow some backbone. It's been two weeks now since Alkhawaja's comments against the Prime Minister at the Oruba Club, yet our press is still obsessed with displaying its loyalty to the regime. Is it not possible for them to take a slightly more balanced and objective approach to reporting? I don't mean that they have to go around bashing the regime, but how about reporting both sides of the story? Since this affair started there have been countless articles about "crowds" of supporters pledging their loyalty to the PM, but there was NO coverage of either the 2000 person protest last Friday, or the 200 person protest on Monday. Will the press really get into trouble for merely reporting that these protests took place? I mean, Mahmood and myself have been talking about this issue quite freely and I have not seen any CID vehicles following me around (but I'm still waiting).
Anyhow, I was not able to attend the planned protest rally in the Diplomatic Area yesterday evening since I was busy (yes I have a life of my own... uhh, sort of). It was supposed to be a protest rally in cars, but I heard from someone that the cops blocked the whole road off so that the rally couldn't take place. If anyone has any details then please let us know. The next event I believe is a series of lectures that will be held on Friday evening in Bilad al Qadeem. I don't think I'll be able to go, so don't expect me to report on it. But if any of you get a chance to go then please drop me an email.
10/08/2004 06:04:00 pm
Has Al Sahaf defected to the GDN? I thought he was keeping a low profile in Dubai, but its obvious he's gainfully employed in this part of the Gulf.
Last time round when those petitioners were arrested I thought the GDN did itself proud by interviewing Amnesty International about the case - and reporting its criticism.
Now it seems normal Arab service has resumed.