Middle East Media News YEMEN: Journalists rail against "harsh treatment" during riots Yemeni journalists have complained that they were on the receiving end of harsh and regrettable treatment by police and security personnel, while covering the deadly riots in the country over a rise in oil prices last week."More than 10 incidences of harsh treatment were recorded within only two days," said Hafez al-Bukari, General Secretary of the Yemeni Journalists Syndicate (YJS). During riots, which claimed the lives of some 50 people, the army and security forces in Yemen arrested a number of journalists covering the events and attacked others, the YJS said, adding that cameras and film were confiscated. "The Ministry of Interior has not seriously dealt with continuous complaints issued by the YJS," al-Bukari said. The government always tries to block coverage of such events in fear of bad publicity, he added.In an open meeting organised in the capital, Sana, on Sunday to discuss the incidents, Mohaboob Ali, chairman of the Yemeni Journalists Syndicate, described the incidents as "regrettable"."We have intervened to get some of our colleagues released," he said. "We cannot accept such practices, and some officials from the Ministry of Interior should have attended this debate." The government declined to comment on the issue when contacted on Tuesday by IRIN.Yemen's delegation told the UN Human Rights Committee in July that major advances had been towards reform of the Press and Publications Act of 1990, which restricts reporting on certain issues in the country and bans any criticism of the leaders. Protests can be reported on under the act.In other incidents of concern to the journalists meeting on Saturday, Yemeni correspondents for foreign media were barred from sending news reports using Yemeni TV satellite stations despite agreements that allow them to do so. "When I was reporting on the riots, policemen arrested me and put me in jail for three days," said Ali al-Awadhi from the weekly Al-Asima newspaper. "I was accused of instigating the riots. I was put in a small cell with another 16 prisoners." The situation for Yemeni journalists is becoming riskier, according to the Yemeni Journalists Syndicate, ever since an attack on the managing editor of the independent daily newspaper An-Nahar on 17 July. The editor, Hajei al-Jehafi, says he was injured after a booby-trapped letter exploded in his face. "I have received several threats from an influential social figure in Yemen after criticising his practices with the ordinary citizens of his area," al-Jehafi told IRIN. "There were also threats against my family, so I took my wife and children back to my village where they are safe." Journalists at An-Nahar have called for international advocacy in support of al-Jehafi, saying they were dissatisfied not to have got any reaction from the Ministry of Interior.Local and international journalists organisations have complained of what they say is an increasing incidence of attacks against journalists in Yemen, after a marked rise in abuses in 2004 which saw the country drop 33 places in the World Press Freedom Index over two years. The index, published in mid-January by the press watchdog Reporters Sans Frontiers (or "Journalists Without Frontiers") showed that Yemen's position had dropped from 103 in 2002 to 136 in 2004 - ranking it below Afghanistan (97) and Somalia (130)."We are gravely concerned about these attacks on journalists in Yemen," said Aidan White, general-secretary of the International Federation of Journalists, based in Belgium. "We stand in solidarity with the Yemeni Journalists Syndicate as it fights to maintain a free press and ensure its members' safety", he added in a statement issued on 29 July.It is unclear exactly why the incidence of violations of press freedom should have increased so much in the past year, though media observers in Yemen say it appears to be in response to greater press criticism of the government.   Ushering in Radio Revolution Through FM Stations S. K. Arora** It may not be long before the residents in a district listen to their very own boys and girls on airwaves. Their very own slangs, value system and cultural connotations could well be there to make radio communication truly of local flavour. No longer would the time constraints on radio waves would drive out the programmes of local content and relevance. This would be a reality soon when the Government’s policy on the second phase of private FM (Frequency Modulated) radio stations in the country, becomes operational. Cleared by the Cabinet on June 30, 2005, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting is now in the process of implementation of this policy. Policy on Radio The Policy objective of the Government for Radio in the 9th Five Year Plan was improving the variety of content and technical quality of Radio. On the technological front the focus shifted from Medium Wave (MW) to Frequency Modulated (FM). The thrust areas for Radio included, Improvement of Programme content; providing wider choice of programs; improving broadcast quality; enhancing technical features; renewal of old and obsolete equipment; addition of new facilities at radio stations. FM Radio in the Country Keeping in line with the policy of liberalization and reforms, the Government allowed fully owned Indian companies to set up private FM radio stations on a license fee basis. In May 2000, the Government auctioned 108 frequencies in the FM spectrum across 40 cities in the country through an Open Auction Bidding process. The decision to open up the frequencies to private participation was taken by the Government with the following major objectives: expansion of FM radio network; to make available radio programmes with superior quality of fidelity and reception; generation of programmes with local content and relevance; encouragement of local talent and generation of employment; and to supplement the services of All India Radio (AIR) and promote rapid expansion of the broadcast network in the country for the benefit of the Indian populace. Radio Broadcast Policy Committee Report In July 2003, the Government appointed a Radio Broadcast Policy Committee under the Chairmanship of Dr. Amit Mitra to provide recommendations on the second phase of Private FM Broadcast liberalization. The committee after delving through the lessons from the first phase, the relevant experience from the Telecom Sector as well as global experiences made a series of recommendations. These primarily relate to the entry & exit mechanism; license fees structure; enhancing the scope of services; improving roll out and migration of existing licensees to Phase II. Thrust Areas in FM Broadcasting FM broadcasting is the preferred mode of radio transmission all over the world due to its high quality stereophonic sound. Therefore, the emphasis in the Tenth Plan is on substantially enhancing FM coverage from 30 per cent (all of which was AIR’s capacity) of the population to cover 60 per cent of the population along with efforts to consolidate the MW transmission network, which has reached 99 per cent of the population. The major thrust areas for the purpose included, encouraging private participation in providing quality services and replacing the existing system of bidding for licenses with a revenue sharing mechanism. Automating all FM transmitters and all MW transmitters of 20 kilowatt (KW) and below capacity. Strengthening and expanding the reach of radio in the northeastern states (including Sikkim) and island territories. Using FM radio to spread literacy, because of better transmission and reception. Phases of Private FM Radio Development Phase – I is what has already happened. In this Phase 108 frequencies had been put on bid, 22 frequencies were operationalised and 2 were “deemed” operationalised. The start-up has been slow. Out of 40 cities and 108 frequencies, Government received 101 bids for an aggregate of Rs 425 crores as against the estimated amount of Rs.79.65crores. However, the actual collection was only Rs.158.8crores from bids for 37 frequencies. The freshly issued guidelines/policy brings into operation the second phase and consists of two parts. One part would consist of those frequencies offered in Phase I which are not operational and additional frequencies in towns already covered in Phase –I. The other part would consist of frequencies in new towns not already covered. Phase III would consist of those frequencies, which would be put on bid after Phase –II bidding is over and some experience has been gathered about the performance of Phase II. Recommendations for Phase III would naturally follow such experience and would be made at a later date. Policy on FM Radio Phase - II Under the new policy, additional 336 private FM radio channels will be available across the country, spread over 90 cities/towns of A+, A, B, C, & D category. Besides, 36 channels of IGNOU and 51 others are also earmarked for educational purposes. News broadcast, however, would continue to remain out of the purview of FM radio. Eight towns in the north-east region would be covered under the scheme with 40 FM radio stations, including 32 private Operators and eight dedicated for educational purposes. Similarly, in Jammu & Kashmir nine channels (7 for private Broadcasting and 2 for education) are planned in the cities of Jammu and Srinagar. In order to overcome the drawbacks of Phase-I, measures have been put in place. The bidding process has been made closed bid type to restrict speculative bidding of the open bidding. Secondly, the fixed annual fees has been replaced with the revenue sharing pattern, whereby the private Operators will have to pay 4 per cent of their revenue as annual fees. Thirdly, withdrawal clauses have been made more stringent to ensure that those who bid for a particular frequency do come up with the radio station. Under the new policy provisions, care has been taken to ensure that a single large entity does not monopolize the airwaves. Accordingly, no entity can own more than one FM radio station in the same city/town, and no single entity will be allowed to own more than 15 per cent of the total airwaves frequencies in the country. Special Efforts to Ensure Operations in Small Towns: With a view to attract more & more players for the smaller towns classified under category ‘C’ & ‘D’, those operating in these towns, will be permitted networking of their programmes i.e., they can advertise for and share their content on the radio stations in the higher category stations. Though it is difficult to draw exact contours as regards the educational value, it is hoped that with 87 channels marked for educational purposes, including 36 IGNOU channels, FM radio stations would contribute to further the cause of non-formal as well as formal education at the grass-root levels. There are apprehensions in some quarters that the upcoming private radio stations would be competing with the All India Radio and might take away a slice of AIR revenues. However, it is felt that the competition would result in better quality programmes for the listeners. The financial loss if at all is there, would be more than made up over a period of time. Also, the step is expected to generate employment opportunities for the local talent. With these guidelines, the Government has made a sincere effort to give a boost to the private FM radio by facilitating creation of an environment for the development of FM radio in the country. How it actually develops over the period of time would depend on the private sector enterprise. *Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting PAKISTAN: New radio series on 'honour' killings ISLAMABAD, 4 Aug 2005 (IRIN) - The Pakistan chapter of the UK-based international NGO, Oxfam, has recently begun broadcasting a radio series aimed at raising public awareness of honour killings. In general, women fall victim to a variety of assorted crimes carried out under the common name of 'honour' across the country, argue rights activists. "This series of feature programmes, to be aired twice a week, will cover different aspects of the 'honour' killing issue through very interesting and moving stories," Farhana Faruqi Stocker, Oxfam's country representative, said in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, noting it would highlight the role of government bodies, civil society, traditional community leadership and the public in eradicating the practice over the next three months. According to statistics compiled by Pakistan's leading rights body, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), though different names were used for the crime in various parts of the country, a total of 579 people, 546 of them women, fell victim to the practice of honour killing in 2004. Oxfam aims to reduce social acceptance of such killings through a six-year campaign aiming at significantly reducing the number of women killed under the banner of 'honour'. The twenty-minute programme series, prepared in both the Urdu and Sindhi language, will be broadcast from four stations of the state-run 'Radio Pakistan' in Sindh and Balochistan province. "Through the whole duration of three month programmes, listeners from respective areas will be invited in each episode to provide feedback about the issue and the programme," Dr Arif Mehmood, manager of the campaign entitled 'We Can End Honour Killing', said. The campaign is part of Oxfam's South Asia regional campaign to end violence against women that involves more than 400 civil society groups and organisations in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. In Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India, the drive focuses on domestic violence while in Pakistan and Nepal, the emphasis is on 'honour' killing and the trafficking of women and girls respectively. "Oxfam's campaign covers over 30 geographical locations in some 23 districts across the country where a high incidence rate of 'honour' killing has been documented and reported," said Mehmood. Launched earlier this year in March from six districts of Balochistan, Oxfam intends to further expand the 'We Can End Honour Killing' campaign in 17 districts of Punjab, Sindh and North West Frontier Province (NWFP) later in November. Visionary Lady Journalist from India Vision Jubilant about "Comments" from NORKA Jury Cindhya Chandren, Regional Editor of Indiavision Intl LLC, is jubilant for the positive comments received from the NORKA jury about her good coverage of Gulf Malayali life from some of the labour camps. Having worked as a reporter of India Vision's Delhi, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram Bureaus, Cindhya is a potential challenge to the male dominated visual journalism in Dubai. While India Vision still lacks visibility in the Gulf due to technical problems and satellite positioning, Cindhya equipped with a sophisticated camera and seven years rich experience in journalism is visible in all the meetings and hot spots in Dubai. The lady was found shooting the Dawood Miandad marriage at late night in front of Grand Hyatt. She was also active in grilling the Gulf Charitable Trust members during their press conference in Dubai..The positive feedback is a clear indication that the lady scribe has a long way to go before getting the bigger awards...She received the best news reporter award for highlighting the street children's plight in Kochi from "Film City". Before joining Indiavision, Cindhya worked as a reporter for Kairali TV. A graduate in English Language & literature from Kerala Univeristy she got a Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism & Advanced Diploma in Software Technology. Eminent media award instituted by Dhwani Event Mangement company on World Women's Day, March 8th was another achievement for the emerging visionary journalist from India Vision. M.N.Aboobaker Malayalam News too Receives Jury's Comments... The tragic story of Paul George, an Indian accused of multiple murders living in Jumeirah prison for twenty years, that appeared on the front page of Saudi based Malayalam News attracted positive comments from the NORKA Media award jury. M.N.Aboobaker, who has been working as areporter with the Dubai Bureau of Malayalam News has been among the neglected Gulf based Malayali journalists. He has submitted three reports about the heavy losses incurred by Malayali labourers in a camp fire and other human interest stories. Having graduated from a non journalistic job to a good journalist, Aboobaker has never been in the limelight, except for his human interest stories. Aboobaker happened to be the only remnants of the Dubai Bureau of Malayalam News, which is closed down due to heavy financial burden, loss of circulation. While it could have been very difficult for Aboobaker to get a good front page byline story in Malayalam News, the NORKA team spotted the hidden journalist in Aboobaker. Even though Chief Minister Oommen Chandy's relative who was in jail for less than one year is out of prison after the required diya money was collected by the Indian associations, Paul George is still in prison awaiting either death or release. Abubaker from Trichur received minor recognition from the Emirates Post two times in 2002 and 2004 and from the Religious Affairs Department during Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS). Roots-Norka, the state government agency for the welfare of non-resident Keralites (NRKs), announced only two awards for reporting on issues concerning NRKs in the Middle East. One award each would be given to a journalist from the print and visual media. "The media plays an important role in highlighting issues of the diaspora. We have, therefore, decided to institute one award each for journalists from the print and visual media," Roots-Norka chairman M.M. Hassan told reporters here.The awards will be given away at "Samavayam" the annual get together of NRKs here Aug 5-6."The competition is open to all journalists in the country and in the Middle East. We want journalists based in the Middle East to participate," said Hassan, a former minister for NRK affairs.The last date for submitting entries is July 15.   Appan Menon Memorial Award for 2005-2006 The Trust proposes to award a grant of Rs 1 lakh every year to professional journalists working in the area of World Affairs or Development news with an Indian perspective. Journalists from any media with 3-5 years experience can apply by submitting the following. A brief proposal (1000 words) stating in brief the area, issues and your particular interest. A brief account of the proposed use of the grant and the time frame. Curriculum vitae and one letter of reference. Samples of recent work. The selection of the proposal to be awarded for this year will be by an eminent jury. The grant will be made in September 2005. Applications should reach the address below by August 30, 2005 Managing Trustee Appan Menon Memoral Trust N-84, Panchshila Park New Delhi - 110017 Tel: (Off) 26491515 and 26468150 Email: kamalamenon@gmail.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ....7-Days Sets New Standards in Reporting.. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DUBAI - As the Ministry of Labour announces that outdoor workers will be allowed to rest from 12.30pm to 4.30pm in summer, 7DAYS reporter Joseph George joined a team of men to find out what it’s like to work in the midday sun - and ended up in hospital. We’re so used to seeing labourers toiling in the hot sun that most of us hardly even notice them as we speed past in our air conditioned cars. I’ve interviewed dozens of them over the past six months, but that normally consists of a few quick questions before I seek out somewhere cooler. But how does it actually feel to work in the sun all day when the temperature soars above 40 degrees? After getting the all clear from the doctor, I set off to join a small group of labourers working on a building site in Garhoud for three hours. After being shown the ropes, I started working at 11.45am. Our job was to take all the sand from one side of a wall and throw it onto the other. I picked up my shovel with some enthusiasm and started digging. Getting out of the sun Read the Special Report by Jacob George Scribe Describes Labour Pain working in torching heat for hours... DUBAI is a city of sky scrappers and multi billion business. The role of expatriate workers in building up the beautiful buildings, roads, bridges, flyovers, shipyards, airports and roundabouts is part of history. They build castles on the barren desert lands, but they are sometimes equated with animals, read manpower. Starting from the travel agents who make millions in the recruitment process to the manpower supplier companies that squeeze out their blood and the layer of middleman who pocket part of their savings, they are always in a long chain of exploitation. Irrespective of their nationality or ethnicity, they are human beings who work 10 to 12 hours a day just for Dhs.450 to 700, that too not paid regularly. Labour stories form an important area for many journalists to win awards or popularity and newspapers never miss a chance to play up labour stories, if the employer is not a powerful Sheikh or businessman. Seven Days, the new English Tabloid that is making waves in the Dubai media horizon, has done it once again. Its reporter Joseph George, who happened to be a Malayali, worked three hours in the torching heat and written a first hand experience about how human beings are slowly and gradually killed by the ultra violet rays and sun strokes. The 7-Days editorial team is learned to have discussed about how to introduce an innovative way of reporting the labour story. Musthafa Alrawi, the young Arab editor, came forward with a wonderful idea – why not a 7-Days reporter work with labourers in a construction site and write a first hand report? (Photo : Joseph George, in style) Joseph George, who is hardly six months in Dubai was assigned the job. "We have talked to some of the labourers and officials before doing this story," says Jacob, who came from Deccan Herald, a leading newspaper in Banglore. There are some instances where lady reporters like Prerana Suri of Khaleej Times and Sunitha Menon of Gulf News did some innovative reporting style to report some women issues.. That did not involve much heat or sweat as Jacob experienced during three hours of working under the sun without any shelter to shield from the heat. Jacobs report is apparently showing a new direction in the way Dubai media is emerging. Competition is everywhere and two more newspapers are coming, says the rumour mills. Tabloids, Dailies, Evening dailies and magazines are coming. Media world is really booming. Joseph is a new reporter who has no car to move around and does not understand the local language.. but he could easily comprehend the situation facing these poor human beings.. who are given a new lease of life by the heroic decision by the UAE Labour Minister Dr.Ali bin Abdullah Al Kaabi. His new decision that allowed workers to take rest between 12.30 PM to 4.30 PM, when the Summer heat is at its peak. The builders lobby is already working overtime to sabotage the implementation of the rule and even newspapers seem to be angry about the decision. Contractors would lose billions, residents will not get peace of mind to sleep… arguments against the ban are multiplying… I bet any of these people have really experienced the heat..and sun strokes that the ordinary workers encounter daily? Jacob George, who is a half Malayalyali, deserves a pat on his back for doing a good story in an innovative style.. Keep it up Seven Days .. Abel's Camera Focus Shifts to Human Side of Arabian Journalism Daad Add Spice to Gulf Malayalam Media Daad Murad, who married 11 wives including a Malayali and fathered 70 children is the favourite story for many Malayali journalists... From Biju Abel Jacob of Asianet and P A M Sharief and Kabir Edvanna of Madhyamam to Jaleel Pattampi of Middle East Chandrika the Daad Muraad story has been appearing in different angles.. "Many Malayalis know me well because of the exposure in the Malayalam media, especially Asianet Gulf Round Up,: says Daad...below P A M Sharief . Journalists travel a few hundred kilometers to meet the Dedicated Daad who is getting ready for the next marriage .. his wife 22 years old Baluchistan girl..As competition is getting intense, journalists are moving out of the air conditioned rooms to report such spicy stories too Full Report   -Nabeesa is Going Home Read the Cover Story in Todays Paper (Click the Link) http://www.7days.ae/content/view/2496/3/ Woman in Crisis, Human Rights Department of Dubai comes forward to help Nabeesa following 7- Days Report by V.M.Sathish...KM Editor feels proud to do a human interest story in 7-Days about Nabeesa that promoted Women in Crisis, a Dubai based human rights group to come forward to help the lady in distress...I feel happy to help an old woman on the story that I did on the death anniversary of my mother... Read More Death AnniversaryThankamma Madhavan --Amma lives in our mind inspiring us to go against all odds..Our humble effort to start and run this portal was inspired by our mother who left us eight years ago. On the occasion of her death anniversary (May 15th) KM team reiterates our determination to work for the poor and weak without antogonising the rich and powerful. Amma, You live in our memories- Editor-KM   Nabeesa's Story Fetches Mother Theresa Award for Ahmed Sharief DUBAI - Ahmed P Sharief , Editor in Chief Middle East Chandrika has been selected for the First Mother Theresha Media Award, constituted by the Dubai based women magazine, Mayoori . Sharief has got the maiden Mother Theresa award for his outstanding story on Nabeesa, the 47 years old Malayali lady who has been living in a made shift home in the desert. M.N.Karashery, Chairman of the Award Committee said announcing the award that the news item, which appeared on May 15, the international family day, on the front page of Middle East Chandrika has attracted wide media attention from the English and Malayalam Newspapers in the region and many people have come forward to help the lady. The award has been constituted by Mayoori, a magazine for International Malayali women edited by Joy Mathew, a well known journalist. Picture shows Joy Mathew, M.N.Karasheery, Biju Koshy and P.Vivekanandan, announcing the award.. More Read More "Good deeds must be respected, even if it is done by a man who is dishonest," Bernard Shaw. Middle East Chandrika Report by Ahmed P Sharief Seven Days report by VM Sathish helps Stranded Kerala Woman.. Woman in Crisis Comes forward to Help Nabeesa...based on Report in Seven Days.... Help Pours in for Malayali Woman Stranded in the Desert Hut for Two Years SHARJAH - For a change, Middle East Chandrika, the official mouthpiece of Muslim League Kerala from Dubai decided not to carry any League leaders picture on the front page top of the paper on May 14. Chandrika always carries front page photos of Muslim League leaders like E.Ahmed or Kunjalikutty but the 14th May edition had a different story by Ahmed P.Sharief, the Editor in Chief.. Haunted for long by the media for the party leaders alleged role in sex scandals that tarnished the League image, especially among the woman electorate of Kerala, Middle East Chandrika had a different story of a Malayali woman who is stranded in the Arabian desert, without anyone to offer a helping hand, let alone a drop of water to quell her thirst in the torching Summer.. .Sharief, the Editor in Chief kept aside all his busy schedules and assignments and drove al lthe way to Shabia Fala in the Sharjah- Fujiarah road. His mission was not to meet any League or KMCC leaders or a visiting Kerala politician, but to meet someone special.. Nabeesa...She had no visitors room to welcome the journalist or an air conditioned room or a glass of water to treat the journalist...and her name is Nabeesa. For the last two years, the unemployed former housemaid who has spent 17 years in the UAE has been living in partial poverty near a bedoin colony Shabia Al Fala near sixth interchange of the Sharjah -Fujiarah route. She survives with the alms given by the bedoin families and the grocery and cafeteria owners in the neighbourhood of Shabia Falai as she cannot go for full scale begging, which is anned in the UAE. (photo: Nabeesa 47, by Ahmed P.Sharief) There will not be any other Keralite woman living in such utter conditions, says Ahmed P. Sharief, Editor Middle East Chandrika who spotted her first at her desert dwelling. After the Middle East Chandrika edited by Ahmed Sharief carried a front page story about the pathetic living conditions of the ageing Malayali lady, many people have come forward expressing their willingness to help her. "A lot of individuals and institutions have come forward to help the Malayali lady," says Sharief. Leading English Daily, 7-Days too followed up the story. "This is one of the good stories that I could do after becoming the Editor in Chief of Middle East Chandrika. "Even though a heavy electric line passes through the area, there is no electric light, fan or air conditioner in her mini apartment," Sharief wrote. "She has lived there against all odds because there is no other alternative. She lost her job in a textile shop run by Pakistani expatriates and her husband died years ago. She is in a debt trap after spending her life's saving for marrying her only daughter paying heavy dowry," the ME Chandrika report added. Mother of two sons who live in India, the lady could not go home for seven years. When the garment shop where she worked was closed two years back she had to leave her residence and found an alternative home. At nights she is scared to live alone in the isolated desert colony. The Muslim woman uses abandoned carpets from the neighbouring Bedouin families to cover her home and at nights she is scared. The Imam of an adjacent Mosque is the only ray of hope in the desert area as she lives far away from other residential pockets of the city. She cooks the alms given by the well wishers and visitors to the area. The grocery and cafeteria in the area too help her occasionally, but she cannot go and ask for food every day. Whenever she gets some money, she calls up India to speak to her two sons. Thanks to the ME Chandrika report, offers ranging from Dhs.5,000 are pouring in.. as a number of good Samaritans are willing to help her. She used to take water from a Bedoin family but they have stopped giving her water - may be due to serious water shortage in summer. The residents are not affluent like the rich Arabs of Dubai or Sharjah. People think that Nabeesa's home is cattle shed and that is the only reason why the Municipality officials have not removed it. Her sponsor is also not very rich to help her or take Nabeesa to the hospital when she falls sick. There is no health card to go to hospitals but she got a valid visa to live in UAE. However, it will expire in three months. She came to Sharjah eight years ago to work as housemaid. Having worked with two Arab families, her visa was changed to a garment shop in Shabia Fala run by Pakistani expatriates because the third family which employed her could not pay her salary. The shop owner was paying Dhs.500 for the shop and Dhs.300 for the house. She needs help to renew her visa, go home and return to Dubai and earn a livelihood to look after her children. Members of Kerala Muslim Cultural Center (KMCC), with broad base in Dubai and other Gulf countries have come forward to help the helpless lady. It is a major force in the Middle East on which Chandrika hope to fall back for moral and material support to grow in a tough newspaper market. By doing such stories, journalists can make a difference and fulfill the avowed mission to make it a different newspaper. Whatever is the medium, a true journalist can carry out his mission...and help the poor and downtrodden... P.Ahmed Sharief completed his school education from Kundamangalam High School Karanthoor and Chendamangalloore Islahia College, Calicut. Completed BA in Economics and first class MA (Arab language) from the Calicut University. He started journalism career as the editor of Gulf Voice Magazine in 1984 and later joined the Thiruvananthapuram bureau of Kalakaumudi as sub editor. Later he became the Calicut Bureau Chief and correspondent. During 1990-94 he became the Chief Reporter of Kalakaumudi, the first Malayalam daily from Mumbai. During the infamous communal riots in which thousands of people, especially Muslims, were butchered and his reports in Kalakaumudi, edited by Viju V.Nair attracted national attention. The Bombay riot reports were later published in the form of a 200 page book entitled - Bombay: Kalapathinte Dinangal (Dark Days of Bombay Riots). Another book Fathima in Malayalam deals with Islamic woman. The book Fathima compares the life of Fathima, daughter of Prophet Mohammed (Peace be Up On Him) with the modern Islamic woman. A good reader, he has also been the General Secretary of the Indian Media Forum, representing the Indian journalists in Dubai. He was also the Abu Dhabi Bureau Chief of Malayalam News, the first Malayalam Newspaper from Saudi Arabia. He has also received the K. Balakrishnan award for best journalist in 1987. During his twenty years of journalism career, he could meet and interview prominent leaders like the former Indian Prime Ministers like Morarjee Desai, V.P.Singh and Rajiv Gandhi. Sharad Pawar, Bal Thackaray, Kanshi Ram, E K Nayanar are the prominent state leaders interviewed by the journalist. Another prominent world leader that he interviewed includes Parwesh Musharaff, the Pakistan President. Breaking News...Arabia Does it Again More Careers UAE 2005 to feature largest number of interactive activities ever Events include a 'national talent showcase' and an inter-university quiz, and various debates, panel discussions and presentations May 16, 2005 Careers UAE 2005, the premier job fair in the nation being held from May 16-18, 2005 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, is featuring the largest number of interactive activities ever put on at a careers exhibition.Among the activities being held at the event are an inter-university quiz, drawing participation from teams from the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), Zayed University and UAE University; a debate on the topic 'Government employment Vs Private sector employment' where panelists and the audience will be exchanging their views on the issue; and a panel discussion on 'recruitment and selection norms' where four prominent HR specialists will be speaking to students on industrial norms and job search strategies. Abdulrahman Al-Awar, Director General, Tanmia, the National Human Resource Development and Employment Authority which is one of the organisers of the event, said, "The interactive activities are designed mainly to help students develop a better awareness of the UAE job market and various job-related issues, and help them meet with potential employers while also providing an avenue for creative _expression." "The activities include a presentation on labor market realities by Tanmia, a panel discussion on the challenges facing nationals entering the IT sector that would feature speakers from Intel, Microsoft and Tanmia; and a presentation as well as case studies on how to start your own business. Also, there will be a special presentation by well-known UAE national women about the leadership role of women, and a 'national talent showcase' where young nationals who have embarked on unusual careers will talk about their experiences," Al-Awar added. Careers UAE is an integral part of the Emiratisation drive to persuade maximum number of UAE nationals to enter the job market and contribute to the development of the country. The event is the biggest and most comprehensive recruitment fair in the UAE. In 2004, the show attracted 10,000 visitors from across the country, and the numbers are expected to be far greater this year as a result of an increase in job opportunities for UAE nationals in key sectors. Tanmia will offer companies expert advice on the latest Emiratisation issues at the exhibition, besides holding a series of workshops, presentations and discussion groups to give exhibitors a chance to deliver their message to their national jobseekers. Careers UAE 2005 is being organised by DWTC, in association with Tanmia, Zayed University (ZU), UAE University and Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance and Industry and Chairman of Dubai World Trade Centre. This story about the arrest of Shoukath Ali has been broken by V.M.Sathish in 7-Days the latest tabloid newspaper that is becoming an obsession for many readers in Dubai..Read the Story here. Innocent Malayali Caught by Abu Dhabi Airport Police Reveals Harsh Treatment DUBAI - Lured by the Abu Dhabi Duty Free Raffle and the cheap airfare, Abdul Jaleel T P, a driving instructor, went to Abu Dhabi to take a flight to Kerala. The Malayali who been living a clean life in Dubai for the last 18 years without any criminal records had to spend eight days in the dark cells of Abu Dhabi because he happened to share a similar name and family name with another expatriate who was involved in a financial crime that happened ten years ago!. After coming out of the prison imbroglio caused by a mistaken identity, Jaleel spoke to 7-Days about the bitter experience in the UAE prison: "I was caught by the Abu Dhabi Emmigration Police on April 10, 2005 while returning from my vacation in Kerala by Air India flight from Calicut. The Emigration authorities told me that there is a criminal case pending against me and that I was not allowed to go with other passengers." Full Report