Website blocked for two days by Ministry
The Save Egypt Front website manager received a message from the Ministry of Communication informing him that the blocking was due to technical glitches that had been resolved.
Access to independent online discussion forum blocked
Some contributors to the UAE Hewar forum believe authorities are blocking it in order to discover the identity of the site’s owners.
Court closes independent website for one month, upholds fine on editor
Case being used to intimidate others thinking of raising corruption issues, says RSF.
Activist dismissed from job for criticising human rights situation
ANHRI considers the dismissal of human rights activist Muhammad Ali Mansouri to be a serious violation of freedom of expression.
Pakistani government pressures UAE to block television programme
The popular programme was prevented from being telecast on the night of 23 November 2009 from the Dubai studios of Geo TV.
News website owner and editor fined in defamation suit
The owner and editor of the Hetta.com news website are appealing a fine imposed by the state-controlled Abu Dhabi Media Company.
Telecommunications company urged to restore access to newspaper website
RSF has written to Etisalat, a telecommunications services provider based in the United Arab Emirates, voicing concern about access to a newspaper website and alleged use of spyware on Blackberry phones.
Federal Court of Appeal upholds sentence against editor and newspaper
The Federal Court of Appeal has decided to uphold a conviction temporarily suspending “Emarat Alyoum” newspaper and fining editor Sami al-Araimi.
Two French magazines censored
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders condemns the distribution bans imposed on recent issues of two French magazines, “Jeune Afrique” and “Afrique Magazine”, at the behest of the information ministry in Abu Dhabi because of articles regarded as offensive or overly critical. “Such measures are both arbitrary and archaic, inasmuch as the content of these publications […]
Draft media law undermines free expression, says Human Rights Watch report
(HRW/IFEX) – The following is a 13 April 2009 Human Rights Watch press release: UAE: Media Law Undermines Free Expression Vague Content Restrictions, Strict Controls Hamper Independence of Press (Dubai, April 13, 2009) – A new draft law to regulate the news media unlawfully restricts free expression and will unduly interfere with the media’s ability […]
ANHRI concerned over passage of media regulation law
(ANHRI/IFEX) – ANHRI has followed with deep concern and disappointment the passage of the law for regulation of the media by the Federal National Council during its last session on 20 January 2009. ANHRI feels that this has been done without regard for differing opinions and a total rejection of concerned media professionals and interested […]
World Report 2009: United Arab Emirates (UAE)
World Report 2009: United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Newspaper suspended and fined after reporting on horse-racing scandal
(ANHRI/IFEX)- On 19 November 2008, the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) condemned an order handed down on 18 November by the Abu Dhabi court of appeal suspending the “Emarat Alyoum” newspaper for defamation. The court also fined the newspaper’s editor-in-chief, Sami Al-Alraymi, 20,000 dirham (approx. US$5,400) and the newspaper 500,000 dirham (approx. US$136,000). […]
Deliberate blocking, “accidental” blocking and filtering all pose threat to online free expression, says RSF
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders is concerned about online free expression in the United Arab Emirates following recent comments by leading Internet sector officials. The spokesman for the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), which oversees the UAE’s Internet, said on 17 October 2008 that the authority was considering “deliberately blocking” access to part of the social […]
Annual Report 2008: The Gulf states
Annual Report 2008: The Gulf states
World Report 2008: United Arab Emirates
World Report 2008: United Arab Emirates