License to blog!!!
RIYADH: The Ministry of Culture & Information spokesman Abdul Rahman Al-Hazzaa did a quick volte-face on Friday after saying that bloggers and Web forums in Saudi Arabia would have to register themselves under a proposed new electronic media law.
Earlier that same morning, Al-Hazzaa told Al-Arabiya channel that electronic publishing would be included in the publication and printing bylaws applied in the Kingdom. He added that blogs and online forums would be included in this ruling. Approval has been given to provide the ministry with the power to view any case related to blogs and online forums, he said, adding that online media would be treated the same as the print media.
The remarks sparked a storm among Saudi online users, leading to a further statement from Al-Hazzaa who said the new law would require online news sites to be licensed, but would only encourage bloggers and others to register.
A number of bloggers attacked the decision on the social networking sites Facebook and Twitter and expressed their doubts about the ministry’s ability to control content on the Internet.
Messages on Twitter sarcastically wondered whether women would need their guardian’s approval to start a blog. Fouad Al-Farhan, a famous Saudi blogger, wrote: “We are not above the law. Our right to write and express ourselves through blogs is a personal right, we should not need to have permission for that.”
It's seems QLers are afraid to comment ;)...
Both Kuwait and Bahrain chooses to revoke citizenship of those opposing the government or causing sectarian tension. A heated debate is taking place nowadays in all GCC countries over a UK resident Kuwaiti Shiite cleric Yaser Habbeeb , Who held a ceremony in UK early this month celebrating the death of Aisha( the prophet's wife and mother of believers).
Yes flor... Who will set the compromise?
In our case as expats, since we are not in our own country, all we have to do is follow the rules.
Anyway, IMHO, the blogging that they are referring are blogs in niches about Saudi Arabia. Bloggers should not be affected if their blog is about different niche.
we may know our limitation but does it conform to the limitation as imposed by the state.
But saying that does not mean the state should and would restrict that freedom onerously. There should be somewhat compromise so as not to violate each others rights! But the question is, who will set that compromise?
Back to square one again!
It's not good to hear that Saudi Arabia will implement that law. I am also a blogger and its our passion to write articles. It's showing our freedom but we know our limitation. I understand what they feel when they make an attcks about it in social networking sites.
I hope that the same law will not be implemented in Qatar.
If all the other internet content is under government control then Blogs should be as well.
By the way controlling content on the internet is impossible. There will always be a way
The past few weeks witnessed unease in different GCC countries with freedom of expression. With UAE ban on blackberry messenger, Bahrain jailing a leading national blogger, and Kuwait banning hundred books from notable Arab novelist in it's upcoming Annual book fair...
many things come under personal rights beside blogging, but then again, who cares?