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“Like the draft of the media law this bill should also have been circulated to the parties concerned for their opinion,” a critic said.
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.
The Peninsula
