The time is now for journalist associations Thursday, 28 April 2011 03:29

In the past few years, Qatar has been at the forefront of change and modernisation in the Gulf region, not only in physical infrastructure but also by building freedoms.

More recently, the Doha Centre for Media Freedom, which had remained dormant for quite some time has been reactivated. We also hear that the much-awaited media law is ready to be issued any time.

Despite some concerns that we may have, these developments are a good indicator that things are moving in the right direction.

With this shift towards a more free society, we hope that non-profit organisations like associations of journalists or writers are allowed to be established in this new chapter of Qatar’s history. We know that the approval for establishing a non-profit journalists’ association has been pending for the last two years and various Qatari columnists have written about it.

However, I believe that now is the time for the government to take the first step and encourage the formation of such organisations. We hope that such an association will be a channel for Qatari journalists to contribute to the development of a new media culture. I urge the Doha Centre for Media Freedom’s new director, Jan Keulen, to take the first step in helping the creation of a journalists’ association. Since the Centre was established by the government, it can play an essential role in persuading authorities concerned to jumpstart the formation of these organisations. By providing support to Qatari journalists, the Centre can fulfill its mission of addressing the issues faced by local journalists and not just those in the international realm.

Establishing such an association, I think, is important before the government issues the new media law.

Qatar cannot take the lead in bringing reforms in the Middle East if the country itself is found lagging  in promoting, and eliminating the difficulties, in setting up such non-profit professional organisation. We hope that these organizations can be the catalysts to Qatar taking the lead in the global arena.