Facilitating communication between officials at ministries and different institutions and the citizens is a constructive national demand that media outlets are keen to achieve in order to reach practical solutions for all the issues raised.
The distinctive radio programme Watani Al Habib Sabah Al Kair “Good Morning My Beloved Country” is one of the best examples that raises the public’s issues, complaints and suggestions. Whatever is said about this programme, it remains the closest to the daily life of the people in Qatar.
I am not here to praise the role of colleagues in the media and their keenness to seek integration with the competent authorities for finding solutions to people’s problems, where patriotism and the professional responsibilities require officials to prove their effective response toward issues and complaints raised through the program looking for solution and suggestions.
Doing so will save time and effort and enrich their reputation with success, and without this integration and interaction, the program loses its impact and success due to losing its most important elements.
Unfortunately, and surprised we note substantial disregard to the complaints, observations and suggestions presented by the citizens in the program, by the official concerned and supposed to express their opinions, and proper answers. Such disregard is unacceptable, and unjustifiable, and the people consider it negligence.
This also reflects a contrast to the definition of the word “official”, which is a person holding public office or having official duties or responsibilities and can be held accountable for his actions and dereliction.
Citizens and those who are target with services are in positions to assess the performances and honesties of the concerned officials whose are obliged to provide services to them. People’s questions through the aforementioned media outlets are a serious method in this worthy trial.
Our thoughtful constitution made sure to entrench these definitions, as it affirms the following in its 54th article: “public position is considered national service, and the aim of the public employer is to service public interests”. While article 59 stipulated “People are the source of authority and shall practice this authority according to the provisions of this Constitution.”
So why do we notice these procrastinations and unconvincing responses to the citizens’ demands and dealings? Furthermore, why do we notice a lack of awareness of the importance of the role played by the media in these important national issues?
We now wait for officials’ assurances in anticipation of what is going to happen in the coming days, or in order to avoid further unexpected surprises.
Two phone calls to the aforementioned radio program held my attention, on last Wednesday one by a citizen called Abdullah and the other one by the fellow journalist Faisal al-Marzouqi. The issue they raise was about the crisis of the parking spaces in Hamad Medical Corporation, which is abusing people’s rights, particularly patients and visitors by occupying spaces allocated to them. This is happening even in critical situations, without offering any convincing justification, not only this but there are private companies who are taking the advantage of these parking spaces and commercializing them by reserving them with no rights.
Another thing is that decision makers should preclude education officials’ reluctance to communicate with media outlets, despite the numerous complaints and negative notes.
I also associate myself with Mr. Faisal who see that officials are obliged to respond to the demands of citizens and that citizens do not have to beg these officials to listen to them.
Finally, I add that disregarding voices of citizens and expatriates is considered an abdication of responsibility that must not be ignored without taking actions that guarantee the rights of the aggrieved and the punishment of negligent officials.
