DOHA: A draft cybercrime law approved by the State Cabinet late last week has kicked up a row, with Qatar’s media freedom watchdog severely criticising it for dealing with issues that concern freedom of expression on the Internet.
Upset over it, the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has also raised the issue with the Qatari government, urging a review.
The Director of Doha Centre for Media Freedom (DCMF), Jan Keulen, told a popular local news website, Doha News, cybercrime is a separate issue from freedom of expression on the Internet.
“This freedom (of expression) should be guaranteed. I don’t think it’s a good idea to mix the two things. I think those very general provisions and stipulations could be abused.”
“I think any attempt to regulate content on the Internet is bound to fail due to the worldwide nature of the Internet”.
The Washington Post published an Associated Press dispatch from Doha that said Qatar’s government had backed new Internet codes that widen controls over news websites and online commentary after similar clampdowns by other GCC countries.
The CPJ has, on the other hand, shot off a communication to the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani, saying the cybercrime draft law approved by the Cabinet would restrict online expression on news websites and social media.
The CPJ urged the Premier to reconsider the draft law. “We ask you to postpone its (the bill or the draft) submission to the Advisory Council and consult media, legal and human rights representatives to ensure that its provisions do not infringe on freedom of expression.”
The CPJ said in its letter to the Premier that countries that throughout the Middle East and beyond look to Qatar as a media leader in recognition of its Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression and freedom of the press, and in light of Al Jazeera’s ambitious and expanding global reach.
“Qatar should affirm its position as a global leader by ensuring that the cybercrime bill does not impinge on a free and open Internet, which is a necessary condition for the exercise of press freedom and freedom of expression,” added the CPJ.
Critics not wanting their names in print due to the sensitivity of the issue, meanwhile, said they were surprised why the draft was not discussed with those concerned before the Cabinet’s approval.
Keulen said that in its capacity as a media watchdog for Qatar, the DCMF would “very much like to be consulted” on issues related to the law in the future.
To recall, the draft suggests punishment for publishing news, photos, audio or visual recordings on the Internet thereby violating the private and family life of an individual.
The draft goes on to add that such information or audio, video or visuals cannot be published about an individual even if it is true.
Such acts are to be treated as slander and libel on the Internet or any other means of information technology, the draft said, Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported earlier.
“This is absurd. Does this mean one shouldn’t even talk about well-known figures like actors, political, social and religious leaders on the Internet,” said a critic not wanting his name in print due to the sensitivity of the issue.
The issue seems to have angered many in the Qatari community as well, as evidenced from a barrage of tweets.
“Can’t we talk about famous people as well? What happens if a famous actor divorces his wife or vice versa? Can’t we talk about it,” wondered a Qatari in remarks to this newspaper.
