December 17, 2000: After completing three successful years of journalism in Muscat, Oman, C.L. Jose, the well known journalist, is moving out to the Gulf News, Dubai. There are only a very few Malayalee journalists who have made their presence felt in the Gulf region. C.L. Jose, a leading English journalist in the Gulf, is one such personality who has made a lot of contribution to media freedom and independent reporting in the Middle East.. Hailing from Trichur district, Jose has been recognised by many as a force to reckon with in Gulf journalism circles. Whether it is the big corporate houses, the ministry officials, central bank and , stock market authorities or virtually any influential businessmen in Oman, his name is very familiar. Same for the common readers who have seen a new life for creative journalism in the Arabian desert.
At a time when journalism was nothing more than doing public relation reports about powerful Arab and Indian businessmen, bureaucrats and the government, this Malayalee journalist has in fact made a major difference to that traditional press culture in Oman. During his three years of very tough working atmosphere-hostile approach of the government and bureaucrats, lack of respect for journalists and even the hostile climatic conditions in the desert---Jose has proved once again that the Pen is still mightier than the Sword!
Now everybody in the Gulf is talking about improving transparency and accountability. No journalist dared to talk about common men, investor rights and investor protection let alone criticise big companies or banks. On many occasions, Jose was at the receiving end of government machinery for writing critical reports. Same with big companies, some of which were giving scant regard for journalists. Two leading Omani banks even stopped advertisements to Times of Oman because this journalist reported some negative stories about their banks. But later on they realised the importance of media power and resumed advertisements.
It is well known that the Gulf countries ruled by royal families and monarchs do not give any importance to independent media. Irrespective of the public relation exercise made by the monarchies to show a liberal face, the media in the Gulf countries is highly controlled by the state machinery. More so in the case of Oman where independent journalism and freedom of expression are nothing but illusions. While this was the case a few years ago, things are gradually changing and the new trend started by a few journalists like Jose has contributed much to strengthen the cause of an independent media. Mr. Jose who joined the Times of Oman-- a leading independent English daily from Muscat-three years ago as a correspondent is now joining a more prestigious regional English newspaper, the Gulf News. Gulf News, the leading newspaper published from Dubai is said to be a liberal organisation by Middle East standards. The UAE government is giving more freedom for the media.
Before coming to the Arabian desert he had proved his reporting skills working for several leading business newspapers from Bombay. Jose is not new to journalism, especially business journalism. He had been working in the commercial capital of India for several years covering the Bombay stock market, banking system, and other business topics.
Before joining the Times of Oman, Jose was working in the Saudi Gazette, an English newspaper published from Jeddah Saudi Arabia is a Gulf country having the worst record in curtailing media freedom. He has worked for the Financial Express of the Indian Express group, the Business and Political Observer and the Business Standard. He was a senior business journalist in Bombay before going to the Gulf. Keralamonitor.com wishes Mr. Jose all the best for his new mission-which will be more challening. We hope that he will do well and contribute to the cause of independent reporting in the Gulf. Contact: amitjose@hotmail.com
Shibu Abraham from Kozhanherri doing E-commerce in the Gulf
Shibu Abraham is currently doing a bit of e-commerce and cyber business in the Gulf. As the Internet and computer use are growing very rapidly, traditional Arab business is adapting itself to the e-culture generating new demand for educated Indians. He is currently working for a new information technology company, which specialises in IT projects and Internet solutions. Before joining his current job as Business Development Manager of a the newly formed E-Commerce company, which is having a franchise arrangement with the Canadian company World Sites, he had been working as assistant manager, Future Management and Economic Consultancy.
Shibu did a couple of interesting project studies, some of which are being considered for implementation by the Government of Oman. An important work was a detailed financial feasibility Study for setting up a Heritage Village Project for Ministry of National Heritage & Culture in Oman as part of tourism promotion plans. He has also done an interesting status study for Garment Units in Oman. Other studies conducted by this Malayalee manager included a Compact Disk Manufacturing Project for the Middle East, and a mineral Water Project for Ministry of Awqaf & Religious Affairs, Government of Oman.
Shibu did all these with the help of business ideas gained from a Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree (Pune University, India).. After obtaining a Bsc Degree from Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam Kerala through Kozhencherry St. Thomas College, he had worked in the marketing departments of a pharmaceutical firm, Farma Labs, Banglore. He started his career as a management trainee with DTDC, Bombay. Contact email: shibuk_2000@yahoo.com
Rejith Poyyara, Kodangalloore in Kerala
