I read on Al Anba paper that Kuwait has scored the 2nd place in Press Freedom for year 2011 among Arab countries according to Reporters Without Borders organization.
Also, Kuwait’s global ranking has improved from the 87th place (2010) to 78 place (2011), this is very good news and I hope our ranking improves even more in 2012.
Read more here
I don’t think Egypt should be the last country on the press fredom index especially after the revolution and eliminating Mubarak government. I guess this index will change according to the up raising in so many Arab countries. However, so far.. the meaning of (FREEDOM) is only in papers and press but its not exist in the Middle East reality and community. I will give an example for that;
the Egyptians’ protests which have been deported from Kuwait last year because they was trying to support their people in Egypt and by the way, the protest was peacful!!!! while in USA and many Euroupians countries anyone can protest even non-nation people!
So… whats the purpose when freedom is only on press but when we implement it in reality we be abused?!
Expats in Kuwait are not allowed to protest, not because of political reasons, but because of security reasons. This was implemented after the Iraqi invasion in the early 1990s, since several expat protests in Kuwait resulted in a clash with the police, mainly Palestinians & Egyptians (1999). Such “peaceful” protests lead to anti-social behavior by the foreign protestors. Now, that does not mean that all expats are anti-socials or anarchists, but historically, Kuwait suffered from such acts, mainly in the 1980s. So, the Kuwaiti government has zero-tolerance for these matters that could lead to international incidents. FWI, Kuwait, throughout history, has been the “place” to go when it’s dangerous in other Arab countries, I.e. Abdul-Aziz Bin Saud, who was in exile from Najd, took refuge in Kuwait. Same thing with Al-Mintifig Prince from Iraq in the early 20th century, & the Lebanese & Palestinisns in the 60s & 70s, who migrated to Kuwait due to conflicts and wars in their respective countries. I, as a Kuwaiti, support the Kuwaiti government for keeping our national security as a priority.
Actually, I’m not surprised about our free press’s progress because Kuwait always ranks high in the freedom of the press polls, along with Lebanon and Israel. Usually, the three countries trade the top spot each year, mainly in the last few years. I believe that Kuwaitis should be proud of our press. This whole Arab Spring phenomenon did not affect Kuwait because of the free press, standards of living, cradle-to-the-grave treatment offered by the Kuwaiti government, democracy, which doesn’t exist in the GCC. is Kuwait perfect? No! Do we have problems? Yes! Plenty! Most of them were and are self-made. However, we have a lot to thank for. Most of my European friends are shocked when I tell them that we live in a tax-free country, with free medical treatment, free education, high salaries, safe environment, except when you drive, and subsidized products & services by the government. Kuwait has a potential of being a developed, rather than developing, country. Sadly, all we need is local investments opportunities, search for alternative energy, investing in local i dustries to minimize the imports, and shake up the unproductive nature of the government sector.
According to Arab countries Kuwait ranked third because there is no freedom in Arab countries. In some Arab countries if u r talking about politic you will be in a dark room with wrapped eyes, blocked with bodybuilders and being tortured!!!
On the other hand, Kuwait is ranked 78 in world’s freedom press. I think there is a big different here!
Anyway, this index will change soon according to the revolutions and up raising in the Middle East. Hopefully, the boundries of fear will be destroyed. This is the only way to freedom whether in press or reality.
there is an old saying which says ” better to die free in happiness than to live caged in fear”
There’s freedom in Kuwait! God bless Kuwait, Al-Sabah Family, the Kuwaiti people, and our way of life.
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