A beautiful image still lingers in my mind. It is one of a man standing beside a lighthouse in the old area, directing traditional vessels in the sea against the background of a modern Qatar with its skyscrapers, flags fluttering at the top of these buildings.
This is not a scene captured by a camera that can vanish in a matter of seconds, or a temporary achievement. It is the symbol of a nation that has not compromised on its traditions for development, nor wallowed in the past at the expense of growth.
It is Qatar in reality, not on paper; it is Qatar as seen by real eyes, not via the media. The media may distort reality or change it and present it in an unfair manner.
I am not talking about Qatar at the international level. This country’s international standing, political stance and economic stature speak for themselves. The policies adopted by the Emir have enabled the country to leave an indelible mark on the international scene.
Qatar is one of the few countries galloping to the future while holding on tightly to their past.
We have seen videos about Qatar’s vision, videos that seek to project ideas about the future as the leadership and the people of this country imagine it and want it. We, however, have forgotten to invite the world’s attention to the reality of this country today.
Some of us have become considerably self-centred, having lost faith in society. Other people see only the negative aspects, while a third group of people see only the positive side. It is important to note here that one has a moral obligation to be objective and see the negative and positive at the same time.
This was clear in the head of an Arab diplomat who paid a visit to our country recently. The diplomat had heard a lot about Qatar before she came here, and read a lot about its stand on international issues. When the diplomat arrived in Qatar, she was surprised to find that this country’s international image was no different from its reality in any way. She saw for herself the uniqueness, harmony and innovation that mark life in this country and relations among its nationals and the citizens of other countries living in it.
“Qatar is beautiful, prestigious, and developed,” the diplomat said. “It is a country where all social classes are prominently present. You cannot find this easily in many other countries. Your Emir is far-sighted. But I need to underline the shortcomings of the job done by your media. The media in a neighbouring country has given the world a great impression about that country, even though the country has not reached Qatar’s degree of development,” the diplomat told me.
I nodded in agreement. The Arab diplomat had put her finger on the real problem. I always feel sorry that our media has not done justice to the development our country has achieved in all walks of life. Our media does not have a strategy that can help the world see the greatness of our country.
Al Jazeera
I watched a documentary a few days ago about Qatar’s architecture before the oil boom. The documentary focused on things that are not known about Qatar.
It was interesting, especially because it focused on an interesting era in the history of our country. As I watched the documentary, I was filled with hope that more documentaries about things unknown about modern Qatar would be produced. The documentary sought to restore the spirit of our beautiful past. I hoped that there would be other documentaries that seek to reflect the beautiful spirit of our present.
Why does not Al Jazeera Documentary or the Tourism Authority have the zeal to produce such documentaries, which can be made in both Arabic and English to be broadcast on Al Jazeera? The documentaries can be broadcast on other important channels, such as CNN. These documentaries can show the world the progress this country is making in all walks of life.
Tourism Authority
The Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) aims to manage the development of the tourism industry and promote Qatar as a tourist destination. My impression is that this authority does not do its job perfectly. The authority will do better if it focuses more on the cultural riches of Qatar than on this country’s sporting and business facilities.
Although Instagram is not in any way a part of official Qatari media, this online photo sharing website has played an important role in promoting Qatar at the international level. Users keep exchanging fascinating photos from Qatar in ways that outdo traditional media in reflecting the beautiful reality of our country. QTA should buy some photos from Instagram users and use them in its promotion campaigns for this country. For more information, please see instagramqatar# Qatar#
Qatari TV
Qatar’s official television network has started broadcasting beautiful shows about individual experiences and people’s views of Qatar. Broadcasting “Qatar in the eyes of other people” is an important, praiseworthy step. Still, Qatar TV needs to upgrade its standards.
Equally important are pictorial promos, which need to be accompanied by original music. Such promos can portray the Qatari renaissance without artificiality. Media experts say that “a photo never lies”, and as the civilisational and human legacy contains both physical and human aspects, they must be presented together. Intensive airing of these promos is required as it is one of the main aspects of promotion, especially since Qatar deserves it.
Al Rayyan Channel
This channel has recently improved its programmes to creatively represent Qatar’s traditions and show its history to the current generation. But its message is limited to local viewers, and does not attempt to tell Qatar’s story to outsiders, despite the importance and quality of its message.
Live from Qatar
A valuable online service is provided by Qatar News Agency, which provides links to various Qatari media outlets and facilitates downloads in English language too. However, it just presents the links without any promotion of Qatar or a background about its wonderful present, though QNA is the ideal news and information medium to reach out to the media audience.
In comparison is the example of a neighbouring country which has succeeded in promoting itself. Its strategy goes beyond its borders and includes reaching out to audiences through media outlets in neighbouring and friendly countries, including Qatar. The outlets mentioned above were not marketing themselves as much as they were promoting this country in order to boost its construction and tourism sectors and investment inflow. This country has gone to the extent of getting its advertisements displayed on buses in Qatar, which has raised the viewing rates in Qatar, according to recent statistics.
Promotion is legitimate and necessary. I want to say, in short, that all good intentions need good media to present and promote them, and that good plants need good soil and regular irrigation.
Qatar is neither a state on paper nor a philosophical dream or a utopia wanted by Al Farabi. Nor is it a future republic wanted by Plato. It is a state by virtue of its reality, will and leadership, and has succeeded to move forward.
Thus how can one forgive any authority that delays projecting this reality, of which we are proud?
