2007
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Book to focus on Saudi women
Journalist Ali Fagandash is currently working on the second edition of a collection of biographies of successful Saudi women. The first edition of "Women of Saudi Arabia" was published last year and included profiles of 80 women, contemporary and from the 20th Century. The 2006 edition of the book focused primarily on women of the Hijaz (from the western coastal region of the Kingdom). The second edition will include a greater variety of women from across the Kingdom.
UAE heritage website to launch
The Young Arab Leaders Chapter of the UAE has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Zayed University to launch the first bilingual website on the rich cultural heritage of the UAE, reported Gulf News. The chapter will partner with UK-based consultancy, EUCLID, to develop the site.
370 sat channels in Arab World
A report by the Arab Advisors Group has revealed that there are now 370 free to air satellite TV channels in the Arab world. The figure grew by 270% between January 2004 and August of this year and private sector general channels make up the biggest proportion with 56 channels, followed closely by music channels at 54. The UAE hosts the most channels, making up 22.2% of the total.
Dubai Prop in orchestra tie-up
Dubai Properties has signed a three year sponsorship deal with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. The real estate firm's first sponsored concert took place on October 3 at the Royal Festival Hall in London. As part of the tie-up, the orchestra will play at Dubai Properties' Culture Village when the project is completed in 2010.
Treat maids better campaign
A series of advertisements are set to be aired on Saudi Arabian satellite TV after Ramadan promoting better treatment of domestic workers such as maids, reported the AFP. Full Stop Advertising is presently negotiating with Saudi's MBC and Lebanon's LBC on airing the three ads which cost $100,000 and were financed by the Saudi Binladen Group. A number of domestic workers in Saudi have suffered either physical or sexual abuse.
Egyptian newspaper strike
More than 20 Egyptian newspapers were not published today, Sunday, as a protest against the crackdown on press freedom in the country, reported the Dow Jones newswires. The move comes after the jailing of a number of editors in recent weeks for criticising the government or the judiciary. The pro-government Rose El Youssef newspaper said the strike was for 'vague reasons' and 'because of pressures from an unknown power'.
QFCA launches Quantum
The Qatar Financial Centre Authority (QFCA) has launched a new publication called Quantum - Finance in Perspective. Written by international finance industry and business experts, the first issue focuses on insurance and re-insurance, while the second, due out in January, will look at asset management. Quantum is available in print and also online at the QFCA's homepage and also at www.quantummagazine.com
E-Vision Bollywood deal
Cable TV provider E-Vision has signed an agreement with Al Mansoor Technical Services to bring newly released Bollywood movies to viewers in the UAE. The tie-up, effective from this month, enables E-Vision to offer the films via its pay-per-view service eView. Al Mansoor manages the distribution rights for the theatrical, as well as home video, release of approximately 90% of the Hindi language films in the Gulf region.
Abu Dhabi festival picks film
The Middle East International Film Festival - Abu Dhabi, which takes place from October 14-19 at the Emirates Palace, has announced that In the Valley of Elah, directed by Paul Haggis, will be screened on the event's final night. Meanwhile, Nadine Labaki, the Director of Caramel, has scooped the Variety Middle East Filmmaker of the Year Award.
Qatar journo clampdown
Qatar's Supreme Judicial Council has issued a ruling banning local newspapers from having free entry into the law courts, reported Gulf News. Reporters will now have to seek prior permission if they want access to any court and violations will be regarded as a 'breach of law'. Journalists have bemoaned the decision as a setback to press freedom in the country.
Egyptian editor fears jail
Mohammed Al Sayed Saed, the Editor of Egyptian left-wing daily newspaper Al Badil, has said he is 'not optimistic at all' regarding his chances of avoiding going to prison after publishing articles about President Hosni Mubarak's health, reported Gulf News. Last week, the trial of Ebrahim Eisa, the Editor of Al Dustour, who has been charged with spreading 'harmful rumours' about Mubarak's health, was adjourned until October 24.
UAE media signs code of conduct
Editors of leading Arabic and English newspapers in the UAE have signed a code of conduct declaring their commitment to ensuring the credibility, accuracy, and unbiased nature of news content, reported Khaleej Times. The Charter of Honour and Code of Ethics was drafted following the government's recent announcements regarding freedom of press in the country.
Emirates wins digital ad award
Emirates Airlines has won a top 'Gold' award in the Travel and Leisure Category at the Campaign Media Awards 2007 in London for a new digital advertisement. The winning advert was for the "Time Will Fly" promotion of Emirates' ice in-flight entertainment system, which shows a speeded up video of a passenger captivated by the 600 channels of films, games and audio.
Egyptian editor fears crackdown
A newspaper editor on trial for reporting that Egypt's president was ill accused the government of conducting an organised campaign to silence the press, reported AP. Ebrahim Eisa, editor of the independent daily Al Dustour, said the state is laying an ambush against journalists and freedom of expression. He added that it would take a 'miracle' for him to escape going to prison. , didn't attend Monday's opening session but was represented by lawyers from across the political spectrum amid a recent crackdown on the country's opposition press.
More support for UAE journos
Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Fujairah, has said the publication laws in the UAE need amendment in order to bring them in line with 'modern times', reported Gulf News. He applauded the recent decision in Dubai not to jail journalists for simply doing their job and said reporters should 'tackle issues in an objective and transparent manner'.
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