The Peninsula Editor-in-Chief Khalid Al Sayed (centre) with some of the Editorial Advisory Committee members, O J Millar, Lenny Cramer, Dr Wandoor P Aboobacker, Mohammed Sabih Bokhari, Zafar Iqbal Khan and Acting Managing Editor Hussain Ahmad at The Peninsula offices yesterday. Kammutty V P
Doha: The Peninsula’s Editorial Advisory Committee of prominent members from various communities convened for the first time yesterday.
It discussed issues related to media freedom, local cultural traditions and the panel’s objectives and goals.
The committee has been formed to advise the newspaper on editorial matters, especially with regard to coverage of communities, The Peninsula Editor-in-Chief, Khalid Al Sayed, said.
“It will give us feedback on our stories from the reader’s point of view,” he said,
He said no other media organisation in the country has such a panel.
Dr Wandoor P Aboobacker raised questions about press freedom and training of reporters.
Dr Aboobacker, who has served on advisory panels of newspapers in Saudi Arabia, said one of the goals of the committee should be to reach out to community schools and organisations registered with their embassies.
“The committee will work as a team and I will coordinate with everyone on various issues in the coming meetings,” he said.
Mohammed Sabih Bokhari was elected Chairman of the committee through secret ballot.
“Media organisations in Qatar are very sensitive about their structure and policies but The Peninsula has taken a very bold step by forming this committee,” member O J Millar said.
He praised The Peninsula and said it reported on African issues even when the African community was relatively small in the country.
Lenny Cramer raised concerns about general criteria for publishing stories and events the newspaper’s reporters and photographers cover.
Members suggested that a vice-chairman should be elected to spearhead meetings in the absence of the chairman.
“I have been reading The Peninsula for 15 years but now as a member of this panel, I’ll look at issues raised in the newspaper more objectively,” said Zafar Iqbal Khan. He suggested that elected members should be dedicated and have some experience with media organisations.
Members will meet every three months.
The Peninsula
