I read what Reporters without Borders (RSF) issued regarding the Abu Dhabi Appeal Court's ruling to ban the publication of the Emarat Al Youm daily for 20 days. When I examined the organization's statement that was issued both in English and Arabic, I wished it had not been released in this form, seeing how loaded it was with erroneous information and language errors. If the organization wants to follow the standards of authenticity, credibility, and reliability of information, certain mistakes must be corrected and explained. I have come across four mistakes that could be considered as “technical errors”. The RSF statement says: “…the doping of the horse race Mohammad….” Are there any horses called Mohammad? Personally, I have never seen this name given to horses. When I wanted to verify the matter by asking some friends in the United Arab Emirates about the name of the horse, they denied that its name is Mohammad. I have never known Arab and Muslim stables' owners to call their horses Mohammad – for many reasons. The second mistake was the RSF statement that the Warsan Stables belong to UAE President Sheikh Ben Zayed, as these stables are in fact owned by the sons of Sheikh Sultan Ben Zayed Al Nahyan. The third mistake was saying that the chief editor of Al Emarat Al Youm was Sami Al-Arimi. I do not know how the organization “unintentionally” mixed up between Al Emarat Al Youm's chief editor Samir Al-Riami and the chief editor of Al Ittihad, Rashed al-Arimi, who turned this newspaper into one of the most important Arab publications in terms of opinion pages. It as if RSF used the former's first name and the latter's family name. The fourth mistake was the report's saying that “many UAE newspapers have referred to the horse doping, but only Al Emarat Al Youm was condemned.” I hereby deny this inaccurate information because I am a loyal follower of the newspapers published in the UAE, and I can assure that none of the print newspapers have referred to the issue of the horse except for Al Emarat Al Youm. I support the organization's condemning report, which is expected, and feel thankful for its positions and continued siding with the media despite the many problems incurred for the sake of fulfilling its mission. However, I consider it should verify the information and investigate the truth from reliable sources rather than from those claiming knowledge and speaking about what they do not know. As for Al Emarat Al Youm, which resumed publication yesterday, it did not show any resentment towards the judicial ruling. Rather, it commented on its website that it will abstain from publication in accordance with the Federal Supreme Court's ruling on a 20-day ban starting the 6th of this month. It revealed its commitment and respect for the state's laws through its immediate compliance with the decision. I realize the magnitude of the challenges and the high price paid by the media as a result of a decision withholding of a newspaper or shutting down the offices of a TV station. I also realize the huge losses incurred as a result of its courage and attempt to pass on the truth to the people. But do these mistakes require banning [publication]? Are there not laws, penalties and fines to be imposed on the media outlets that violate the laws, other than withholding the newspaper and banning its distribution? Indeed there are alternatives, and there are many penalties stipulated by the laws, namely those pertaining to publications. I believe that Reporters without Borders needs to correct and verify its future statements, but this will not undermine its work. Rather, it will increase its credibility and professionalism. Besides, it should examine the facts and obtain information directly from the relevant authorities instead of relying on “unreliable or false sources”. As for the colleagues in Al Emarat Al Youm, I wish you a happy return, one that would be crowned with renewed efforts. Your young newspaper has managed in a few years to become a vital platform and a key source for the UAE news. I wish you a more powerful return and to learn lessons from this suspension of publication, hoping it will not influence the policy of the newspaper but rather increase its momentum in front of its readers and those observing its “bold” march. There is no doubt that the media can bring about political and economic and social and sports change and reform. It can also uncover the truth and stir up revolutions in societies, based on monitoring, follow-up, truthful investigation, and reliable publication away from any “irresponsible” provocation. Certainly, the local press is not the enemy of the governments, but a mirror reflecting the mood of the street and societies, as long as it is impartial and honest and reports the news in a professional and reliable manner. Finally, I hope I have not fallen in the trap of professional preaching in this opinion piece.
