PM said "If both sides were put out there, people could form a more balanced opinion."

- Sorry, but disagree. Trial by the press / internet is unfair. Not because people think lawyers are trying to protect their "rice bowl", but because the press and internet, and blogs or whatever does not have the people qualified to judge, to argue the case, to assess the facts, etc,.etc.

"As it is, it looks like most ex-pats will think he is being abused; and most Qataris will think their courts are right."

- You are intelligent and experienced and are able to assess whatever you read with greater understanding and will be able to pick out when people are bs-ing or trying to pull a fast one or talking out of their a***. Or trying to mislead. BUT not everyone is like you. Many people are at different stages of knowledge and experience., How can you monitor that to ensure that people will be guided to decide a matter fairly?

To have a system - a set of rules and guidelines to follow. And every legal system is not as advanced as yours. Everyone has to start somewhere, learn from mistakes and move forward. But must have a system in place.

"(there is such a thing as court reporting) and clear up any misconceptions there may be."
- True - like the law journals. A system of binding precedents, etc. Agreed.
But note, that not everyone will understand the court reporting. And from there, things will get messy again because of misinterpretations, and people will head in whichever direction their own agendas take them.

"That is why these things are reported on in the news."
- It creates an extra-legal system of checks and balances, agreed. Pressure on the judiciary to act fairly, etc. or the members of parliament will be removed the next elections, etc,etc. But free press is taken a bit too far most times.

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The Cookie Monster said it.
I also don't plagiarize...