Reporters Without Borders Annual Report 2002 - United Arab Emirates

Reporters Without Borders, Reporters Without Borders Annual Report 2002 - United Arab Emirates, 3 May 2002, https://www.refworld.org/reference/annualreport/rsf/2002/en/56514 [accessed 08 December 2024]
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Despite the opening of the only "free zone" for the media and the informatics sector in the Gulf countries, the authorities keep the media under constant pressure.

In early December 2001 Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan was re-elected as head of state by the supreme council for five years.

In January Dubai Media City, a "free zone" for the media and companies in the informatics sector, was launched. The Arabic satellite television channel Middle East Broadcasting Center (MBC), formerly based in London, set up in the zone.

Despite the authorities' commitments in 2000 to give more freedom to the media, self-censorship is still practised by journalists, for fear of sanctions. In particular, journalists avoid mentioning subjects related to religion, morals, "friendly countries" or members of ruling families.

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