A step in the wrong direction for UAE press freedom?

"The United Arab Emirates plans to crackdown on media freedoms amid a slew of bad headlines about the impact of the global financial crisis on the Persian Gulf state's economy and corporate scandals in Dubai." Zawya Dow Jones, Dubai

Interesting news indeed. The story goes on to report how a draft law is proposing to introduce fines for journalists and publications to constrain reports that could impact the country's reputation, economy or tourist industry. Could the embarrassing spate of inquisitions of high profile business leaders around issues of transparency and accountability towards the end of last year have proven slightly too much to handle?

Contrast this news with a paper I wrote just 5 months ago, and you will see what I mean. In the paper I cheerily remarked that a 2007 press freedom index by Reporters Without Borders showed the UAE jumping 12 places to a ranking of 65 out of 169. This positive move was largely driven by changes to legislation announced by Dubai to decriminalise the UAE media law and prevent journalists being imprisoned. The system of fines and penalties has always been in place, but one cannot help but wonder what the implications will be of the revamp and focus on business reporting.

The crux of the issue is that Dubai and the UAE is no longer a desert outpost that can keep itself to itself - and neither does it want to be. It is a business hub that craves the centre of attention, and has the world's press watching its every move. This new step to impose greater control over the ability of its own media to report honestly on the business environment (...for fear of being seen to join the world in the current economic slowdown??) appears so at odds with the direction that the global media industry is moving in, and risks putting its own reporters at a distinct and embarrassing disadvantage against worldwide sources that can and do report without such shackles.

The UAE media industry has grown from a handful of newspapers, to over a dozen dailies and hundreds of magazines. In the year that I have been here I have seen so many positive changes and new initiatives. There is further scope for growth as vertical industries gain strength and commentary diversifies from a single voice to cater to different political viewpoints and values.

The potential is enormous and for me one of the most exciting reasons to be in PR, right now, right here. When the industry has gained so much momentum, it will be interesting to see the impact of this latest move.