Social media networks: Where does the margin of freedom stand?

Friday,24 June 2011

By : Jameel W. Karaki (Me)        Staff Writer KUWAIT: The recent technological advancements brought to the surface many new concepts that include expressing an opinion or even reporting news through social media networks or blogs.  These media channels have become a global phenomenon, particularly in the Arab World in the current climate. Disputes have emerged among people, journalists and activists, in regards to whether there should be laws or regulations to organize and control these media outlets. Nasser Abul, Kuwaiti citizens and a Twitter user, was arrested almost two weeks ago for criticizing Bahrain and Saudi Arabia's ruling families in tweet posts. This is not the first time a blogger has been detained in Kuwait over expressing their opinion. For his part, Daham Al-Ghatni, a journalist and a political analyst who believes that social media networks should present a medium of freedom of expression, said that there is a difference between freedom of expression when it brings matters in a logical and objective way and between statements that can be called "indecent", which occur by insulting people and their legal positions without any evidence, also known as libel. He went on to say, "For instance, when I describe a human being to be an animal and I get arrested, I can't speak about freedom," noting that a journalist should be prosecuted according to the printing laws, and not by state security laws. In addition, Al Ghahtni said that till now there is no law that governs blogging in Kuwait, yet insulting dignities is not acceptable, adding that the detained blogger should be dealt with in a legal framework. "Sometimes governments don't harm freedoms, but some people who are practicing are present a bad example about blogging, therefore, as bloggers we should present the positive impression." said Dahem. On his part Jaafar Rajab, a Kuwait writer believes that freedom of expression shouldn't be restricted on social media, printing press media or even public places, indicating that there are relevant laws that deal with libel. Rajab referred to social media outlets such Facebook and Twitter as a "big diwenya." When asked about legalizing laws related to social media networks, he said: "It is not appropriate to legalize such a law to restrict freedoms", noting that Kuwait should keep pace with development around the world since given that it's the 21th century. Regarding the case of Nasser Abul he said that "even if he committed a mistake, what is happening in his case is that there is an abuse of power because it doesn't make any sense that until now he has no charges against him." He went on to say, "Abul is a regular guy who is not a politician or has previous police records. He is just a guy who was involved in a dialogue. There is a legal reference for such an action which doesn't include his arrest for weeks." Rajab also compared the journalism law in Europe to the Arab World's, saying that European laws talk about rights and the access of information while media laws in the Arab World speak about taboos and crimes, ignoring the rights of the journalists as well as the bloggers.