A leading Dubai businessman has made a scathing attack on the region's journalists, claiming that they lack the courage to investigate controversial stories. Mishal Kanoo, deputy chairman of the Kanoo group, launched his broadside in a a speech entitled "Is Journalism in the Gulf just PR fluff?"
I guess the clue to his feelings was in the title. Anyway, he did not hold back. He told delegates at the Arabian Business media and marketing conference that Gulf journalists preferred to cut and paste news agency copy rather than uncover the real stories.
To prove his point, he highlighted several stories which went unreported in the region, including the case of a Kuwait-based company which was investigated for fraud. The story was covered by the Wall Street Journal but not by any Middle East-based publications. He also pointed to stories about the conduct of local banks and the exorbitant claims of property developers.strong>New York Times, Washington Post and the Financial Times. "When they make a statement you listen", he said. "When the magazines in this part of the world make a statement, you want to verify it."
Kanoo suggested two major reasons for the timidity: fear of legal action and a reduction in advertising revenue. (Via ArabianBusiness.com)
