DOHA: Qatar is all set to enforce the much-awaited media law after the holy month of Ramadan.
The Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage, H E Dr Hamad bin Abdul Aziz Al Kuwari, said yesterday that the State Cabinet will approve the draft of the proposed legislation at its first meeting after the fasting month, Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported.
Addressing chairmen of the board of directors of youth centres, the minister said that everyone has the desire to see the law issued as soon as possible. The Cabinet is, therefore, keen to ratify the draft at its very first meeting after Ramadan.
"Qatar will be proud of its law which will be the first of its kind in the entire Arab world," the minister was quoted as saying.
The draft of the proposed media legislation was studied for four long years and several bodies of the government have been briefed about it, the minister said.
Editors of local newspapers were also invited by the Advisory Council to discuss the draft so as to ensure that all of its aspects are taken into consideration before it is enforced.
"For the first time the Advisory Council discussed proposals from editors and took into consideration the opinion of the culture ministry as well," the minister said.
The law (once it is put into force) will live up to the expectations of the journalists, especially, since it abolishes prison sentences, he added.
Meanwhile, media reports suggest the draft consists of 45 articles which cover print, broadcast as well as the electronic media.
Six of the articles deal with online journalism, which will not be censored, the draft suggests.
© The Peninsula 2012
