Tag Archives: environment
Journalists cannot be forced to reveal their source: Shaikh Sultan
Journalists cannot be forced to reveal their source: Shaikh Sultan Afkar Abdullah / 24 February 2014 A journalist’s rights are protected by law and he or she cannot be forced to reveal their source of information and news, says Sharjah Ruler A journalist’s rights are protected by law and he or she cannot be forced to reveal their source of information and news, said His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. Addressing the opening session of Sharjah International Government Communication Forum (IGCF) 2014 which is concluding today, Dr Shaikh Sultan said: “Arab world today stands at a critical phase in time. Things are changing at a rapid speed. The regional landscape is in some sort of flux, making it difficult to differentiate right from wrong.” “We see the enlightened moving towards darkness. Honesty is being taken over by falsehood. The virtuous are being forced to surrender to base desires. Where is the media in this chaotic landscape and what is its role here?” He added that media and journalism is dangerous when it dedicates itself for spreading misleading and false information. The journalist must respect the reader, audience, privacy, and public interest while delivering news and information. A journalist of various means of media must have personal sense of morality, ethics, accuracy, credibility and fairness. He stressed that the journalist has rights that are protected by law. These rights include freedom of speech and criticism and access to news and information as well as freedom to investigate without interfering in confidential public or private affairs, unless of course, the exception is clearly justified. The journalist’s main right is not revealing the sources of his news which he/she receives in secrecy. He directed his message to TV channels that broadcast imported pictures or films. He encouraged the local channels to avoid delivering fabricated, false information and prevent themselves from getting involved in violating copyrights, staying away from laziness, cowardliness, hatred, or any criminal act. “The TV channels must contribute in strengthening the human spirit among individuals by spreading ethical and, cultural values to impose love and happiness in the society. afkarali@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
Over 1 million come to Dubai for work daily
Over 1 million come to Dubai for work daily Salah Al Deberky / 20 February 2014 Figures released by Dubai Statistics Centre says 1.1 million people enter the emirate during the day and leave it at night. Dubai’s population of 2.2 million gets pushed up by over a million during the daytime, as per figures released by the Dubai Statistics Centre. As per their figures, 1.1 million people enter the emirate during the day and leave it at night. By the end of 2013, the centre said, of the 2.2 million people living in Dubai, there were 1.6 million males and 356,515 females — constituting 75.77 per cent and 24.23 per cent respectively. This means that for every 100 females in Dubai, there are 313 males. This is not surprising as majority of the expatriate employees in the emirate are males whose families are not living with them. The statistics attributed the increase in the movement of population during the daytime to two main reasons. One, investment opportunities in the emirate attracts businessmen from other emirates, and two, many people working in Dubai reside in neighbouring emirates due to the relatively low rents of accommodations. The number of employees living outside the emirate, and those who live temporary in the emirate is estimated at 1.5 million. “Two-third of the population are in the age group of 20 to 39,” the statistics said. The statistics covers the number of people who are present in the emirate at daytime, residents and employees in federal and local government entities and private sectors. All these are in addition to the number of people who entered and exited the emirate in the day. news@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
Dubai Car Free Day may take national stage
Dubai Car Free Day may take national stage Sajila Saseendran / 19 February 2014 The Director General of Dubai Municipality Hussain Nasser Lootah was joined by senior officials of various departments in riding the Metro from the Etisalat station to the Union station next to the municipality’s headquarters. Dubai Police Commander-in-Chief Major General Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina, Director General of Dubai Municipality Hussain Nasser Lootah with other officials. Photos by Juidin Bernarrd/Khaleej Times Dubai’s Car Free Day initiative is likely to be extended to all the emirates with the Environment Minister supporting the idea to make it a national drive. Responding to a query by Khaleej Times , Minister for Environment and Water Dr. Rashid Ahmed bin Fahad said he would support the idea of taking the initiative to the UAE level. “There are other green initiatives taking place in other emirates as well. But this is a very good initiative that encourages people to leave cars and use mass transportation to reduce environmental pollution. I support the idea to take it to the national level.” Earlier in the morning, ministers and top officials of government departments led thousands of Dubai residents in leaving their cars at home and taking public transport to work on Dubai Municipality’s fifth Car Free Day. The Director General of Dubai Municipality Hussain Nasser Lootah was joined by senior officials of various departments in riding the Metro from the Etisalat station to the Union station next to the municipality’s headquarters. Lootah said the aim of the day was to encourage people, especially those commuting between just two points — home and office — to use public transport to save the environment from pollution. ‘We want everyone to think about Dubai’s environment, the increasing number of cars, and take steps to make a difference. It’s everybody’s responsibility. We want people to move away from their iPads and other gadgets and walk. Using public transport is good not only for the environment, it is good for health also.’ CEO of Public Transport at the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) Dr. Yousif Al Ali said he would look into the possibility of making public transport free of charge on Car Free Day. ‘We have the annual Free Public Transport Day and that also aims to encourage people to use Metro and buses. The purpose is the same for this (Car Free Day) initiative also,’ he pointed out. About 65 entities from the public and private sectors took part in this year’s Car Free Day, making it the biggest green drive in the emirate. The municipality estimates about 9,000 people to have ditched their cars today, reducing more than 20 tonnes of carbon dioxide emission. The civic body has announced sport bicycles as prizes to 100 participants who registered online. Spreading the message of the initiative, 100 employees of the municipality participated in a 3.5 km bicycle rally from Deira City Centre to the DM headquarters. An exhibition of eco-friendly cars and other projects, a mime about environmental pollution by students of Our Own High School Al Warqa were among the activities organised at the municipality’s sprawling parking lot, which was closed for cars for the day. sajila@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
