No Doha Debates for Dubai

jane01
By jane01

The Gulf Times is reporting that

Abu Dhabi’s The National newspaper has refused to run an advertisement by the Doha Debates promoting a controversial session about Dubai, broadcast by BBC World News last Saturday and Sunday. A Doha Debates spokesman said the advertisement had featured a picture of two panellists against a Dubai skyline with the question: “Is Dubai a bad idea?” Sources close to the newspaper said its staff had been afraid of upsetting Dubai’s rulers, already sensitive over international coverage of their financial crisis. The National’s advertising manager Andy Tideswell told agents in Doha that “due to the content of the Doha Debates ad a late decision was taken to pull the ad from the January 8 issue

If you're feeling subversive, here is the debate:

By Nic• 18 Jan 2010 11:45
Nic

All that at the expenses of salaries of less than 5US$/ day!

By Nic• 18 Jan 2010 11:44
Nic

jack,

LOL...no wonder you see where they are now!

By QatariGentel• 18 Jan 2010 11:43
Rating: 4/5
QatariGentel

Dubai is the paradise and the dream , high standard of living which you will never find anywhere in the world..

People will always keep talking…I wonder where in the universe you will find such quality of infrastructure .

By anonymous• 18 Jan 2010 11:27
anonymous

Dubai is the biggest wonder of the world....

Put all the wonders of the world in one side of the weighing scale and put Dubai into another side of the scale.....and Dubai would hold the scale equal.

While all the 7 wonders took so many years to build the "wonders" of Dubai were built in a few years....by a country without the oil/gas reserves the Gulf is famous for..if that is not a wonder by itself then what is?

By Nic• 17 Jan 2010 08:40
Rating: 5/5
Nic

For those who remain on denial and still accuse the Media of jealousy when they report the sad reality of Dubai’s failure, I ask:

Why isn’t the Media jealous of Hong Kong or Singapore, just to state 2 examples of successful real world class cities (with real sustainable greenery)?!

Hong Kong

Singapore

Dubai

By Nic• 17 Jan 2010 08:11
Rating: 5/5
Nic

Keith Brown,

Very few people with independent critical thinking, last in this website. The average input is usually very shallow or just copy-pasted articles. Little or none is the result of the participants’ creativity.

You have to be a compliant, a very very easy going person or a brown nose to stick around.

As for this post, what can we say besides “this is the Gulf!”.

These societies are built with a high dosage of hypocrisy and very little transparency as such certain truths are not surprisingly kept hidden!

The harsh relations between neighbors are the only means to unveil a bit each one’s nastiness but never one self’s.

By anonymous• 15 Jan 2010 22:29
Rating: 3/5
anonymous

Khattak Good Point

By KHATTAK• 15 Jan 2010 16:13
Rating: 3/5
KHATTAK

Funny part is that this story is published by another Gulf Daily...Can Gulf Times write anything about that about Qatar?

----------------------------------------------------------------Give me some SunShine......Give me some Rain

Give me another Chance...I wanna grow up once Again

By darhan76• 15 Jan 2010 11:03
Rating: 4/5
darhan76

What would you expect from Abu-Dhabi?

They already paid more than 20 bln, and God knows how much more, and obviously they don't want to hear anything negative. No doubt it was correct from political point of view, but general public I dont think so... Just can you imagine you give someone a lot of money and everybody around keep telling you that he will not be able to return and most probably you have to give even more...

Taking into consideration last step from Shk. Mo that he consolidated all media into one office mainly due to the fact that they failed to smoth the impact of negative image which emerge in world and Gulf during this Dubai INC scandal..

And still it is way more orginised place to live, and prices are going down now, so if I will be able to find a good job there I will move without any doubt.

Just check how many people leaving Doha for weekend, holidays, Eid and so on, I am not talking of clubbers, there are also a families, and a lot of local families.

No doubt Doha has a bright future, but it is still a future and you want to live now...

By seemz• 15 Jan 2010 06:58
Rating: 5/5
seemz

All this negative talk on Dubai is only coming out of envy and jealousy. Dubai and the UAE generally is like an oasis in the desert. It's heaven compared to what's around. Stop hating...

By Keith Brown• 14 Jan 2010 21:07
Keith Brown

A post like this would have stimulated great inteligent debate a year ago,,,,,where is everybody?????

By mindraider• 14 Jan 2010 17:48
Rating: 4/5
mindraider

Don't start bragging and banging your heads... less sensitive subjects are not allowed in Doha and the whole middle east except Lebanon.

By Keith Brown• 14 Jan 2010 16:28
Rating: 2/5
Keith Brown

The old Head In The Sand approach from the powers that be in dear old Dubai.Perhaps if they had faced the problems head on in the first place instead of denying everything in the first place they could have exercised some damage control.

Log in or register to post comments

More from Qatar Living

Qatar’s top beaches for water sports thrills

Qatar’s top beaches for water sports thrills

Let's dive into the best beaches in Qatar, where you can have a blast with water activities, sports and all around fun times.
Most Useful Apps In Qatar - Part Two

Most Useful Apps In Qatar - Part Two

This guide brings you the top apps that will simplify the use of government services in Qatar.
Most Useful Apps In Qatar - Part One

Most Useful Apps In Qatar - Part One

this guide presents the top must-have Qatar-based apps to help you navigate, dine, explore, access government services, and more in the country.
Winter is coming – Qatar’s seasonal adventures await!

Winter is coming – Qatar’s seasonal adventures await!

Qatar's winter months are brimming with unmissable experiences, from the AFC Asian Cup 2023 to the World Aquatics Championships Doha 2024 and a variety of outdoor adventures and cultural delights.
7 Days of Fun: One-Week Activity Plan for Kids

7 Days of Fun: One-Week Activity Plan for Kids

Stuck with a week-long holiday and bored kids? We've got a one week activity plan for fun, learning, and lasting memories.
Wallet-friendly Mango Sticky Rice restaurants that are delightful on a budget

Wallet-friendly Mango Sticky Rice restaurants that are delightful on a budget

Fasten your seatbelts and get ready for a sweet escape into the world of budget-friendly Mango Sticky Rice that's sure to satisfy both your cravings and your budget!
Places to enjoy Mango Sticky Rice in  high-end elegance

Places to enjoy Mango Sticky Rice in high-end elegance

Delve into a world of culinary luxury as we explore the upmarket hotels and fine dining restaurants serving exquisite Mango Sticky Rice.
Where to celebrate World Vegan Day in Qatar

Where to celebrate World Vegan Day in Qatar

Celebrate World Vegan Day with our list of vegan food outlets offering an array of delectable options, spanning from colorful salads to savory shawarma and indulgent desserts.