The media didn't get it wrong again, Tonto, and it's a shame that the Peninsula has been made to publish a retraction.
The Peninsula and its Arabic sister paper were given a story from an official source and ran the story in good faith. I republished the story on Qatar Journal, so I'm having to decide this morning whether to issue a retraction. It's difficult to stand by a story when my source has caved. [Updated here]
From what I can find out, the story was mostly true. The Permanent Population Committee did produce a report recommending that the proportion of expats be reduced. It published the report when it was part of the Planning Council. The Planning Council has since changed its name to the GSDP.
The internal workings of the GSDP are not entirely open to public scrutiny. I've been waiting since June 17 for a reply to the question "What changes do you foresee in the proportion of Qataris versus expats in the population?" I have yet to receive a reply, but I did get an email saying that the person within the GSDP who I'd sent the questions to now had access to someone who might be able to answer them, but couldn't give any guarantees whether or when they might be answered. It's impossible with such limited access for the media to check any facts - if someone with an official-sounding title gives us a story, we'll run it.
It's up to the GSDP to open up its workings to the public. Below is the full list of questions they've had since June 17. I've given up trying to get any response.
Your organization suggests how to achieve changes in Qatar's governance, society and economy. How do you judge the correct direction and pace of change?
Some of the changes you suggest are going to create tension amongst those affected. How do you decide which parts of the process are open to public scrutiny and who should be involved?
Qatar's wealth derives from the oil and gas industries, but there are plans to diversify the economy into health, education, technology and finance sectors (the so-called “knowledge-based economy”). Why is this necessary?
There has been a huge success in encouraging young women into tertiary education. How can this success be repeated with young men?
Businesses are owned by Qataris, but most are managed by expats? Is this a problem that needs to be solved?
Why aren't young Qatari graduates working in private-sector businesses?
What changes do you foresee in the proportion of Qataris versus expats in the population?
The media didn't get it wrong again, Tonto, and it's a shame that the Peninsula has been made to publish a retraction.
The Peninsula and its Arabic sister paper were given a story from an official source and ran the story in good faith. I republished the story on Qatar Journal, so I'm having to decide this morning whether to issue a retraction. It's difficult to stand by a story when my source has caved. [Updated here]
From what I can find out, the story was mostly true. The Permanent Population Committee did produce a report recommending that the proportion of expats be reduced. It published the report when it was part of the Planning Council. The Planning Council has since changed its name to the GSDP.
The internal workings of the GSDP are not entirely open to public scrutiny. I've been waiting since June 17 for a reply to the question "What changes do you foresee in the proportion of Qataris versus expats in the population?" I have yet to receive a reply, but I did get an email saying that the person within the GSDP who I'd sent the questions to now had access to someone who might be able to answer them, but couldn't give any guarantees whether or when they might be answered. It's impossible with such limited access for the media to check any facts - if someone with an official-sounding title gives us a story, we'll run it.
It's up to the GSDP to open up its workings to the public. Below is the full list of questions they've had since June 17. I've given up trying to get any response.
--nigel
http://qatarjournal.com/
Your organization suggests how to achieve changes in Qatar's governance, society and economy. How do you judge the correct direction and pace of change?
Some of the changes you suggest are going to create tension amongst those affected. How do you decide which parts of the process are open to public scrutiny and who should be involved?
Qatar's wealth derives from the oil and gas industries, but there are plans to diversify the economy into health, education, technology and finance sectors (the so-called “knowledge-based economy”). Why is this necessary?
There has been a huge success in encouraging young women into tertiary education. How can this success be repeated with young men?
Businesses are owned by Qataris, but most are managed by expats? Is this a problem that needs to be solved?
Why aren't young Qatari graduates working in private-sector businesses?
What changes do you foresee in the proportion of Qataris versus expats in the population?