QATAR-CARTOONISTS Qatar's cartoonists say they enjoy more freedom, address controversial topics

Record ID: 159503

  • Title: QATAR-CARTOONISTS Qatar's cartoonists say they enjoy more freedom, address controversial topics
  • Date: 14th April 2015
  • Summary: DOHA QATAR (APRIL 13, 2015) (REUTERS) CARTOONS PUBLISHED IN NEWSPAPER QATAR, DOHA (RECENT - APRIL 7, 2015) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF EDITORS WORKING IN NEWSROOM
  • Embargoed: 29th April 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Qatar
  • Country: Qatar
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVADO8A3U45TKTYH9ZQDQBCB2BTK
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Cartoons are becoming a strong news element in local Qatari newspapers and are increasingly attracting many readers, as they draw attention to some of the most controversial social and political issues in the emirate, local cartoonists say.
    The cartoonists say they now enjoy more freedom to be openly critical by touching on topics that were previously considered sensitive, such as health services and corruption in private and government institutions.
    Editor-in-Chief of Al Sharq Arabic daily newspaper Jaber Al Harami says that as freedom of expression grows in the country, so does the boldness of cartoon topics.
    "Audience have massive interest in cartoons published in Qatari newspapers. The kinds of topics cartoons cover have increased. The freedom level increased. Topics discussed boldly by cartoons over the past few years cover all sectors and have criticised all subjects," Al Harami said.
    But al Harami said there is a need for more young Qatari cartoonists who he says are closer to discussing local topics compared to the older Arab cartoonists.
    "Local newspapers need youth who understand the society's issues. With all respect to Arab cartoonists, an Arab cartoonist would usually discuss general topics, especially political ones. But the local Qatari cartoonist can understand the issues of the society and can express them through a cartoon in a clear way that is directly understood by readers," he said.
    In 2012, Qatar's draft media law came under fire from Human Rights Watch, which singled out "loosely worded provisions" penalising criticism of the Gulf emirate and its neighbours.
    Freedom of expression is tightly controlled in the tiny autocratic Gulf state, with self-censorship prevalent among national newspapers and other media outlets.
    But local Qatari cartoonists such as Saad Al Mohannadi say they are now enjoying more freedom.
    From his home office in the coastal city of Al Khor, north of the capital Doha, Al Mohannadi publishes daily cartoons in a local newspaper.
    Al Mohannadi believes that the boldness of the cartoon depends on the topic, saying that some issues require a provocative approach while others don't.
    "If the topic I am criticising or the negative phenomenon I am discussing is rude and flagrant, it requires a cartoon that can match it in strength and boldness. That's when you sense boldness in cartoons. Moreover, the Arab reality, with the recent revolutions, have increased the freedom limit. Such events also require powerful and bold cartoons to cope with them," he said.
    Al Mohannadi said none of his cartoons were ever banned from being published. However, he still challenges controversial issues to see how far he can go with freedom of expression.
    Many Qatari cartoonists are now publishing their work on social media which attracts higher numbers of viewers.
    A 2013 survey by Northwestern University in Qatar on Media use revealed that 70% of all residents of Qatar regard the internet as an important source of news.
    Facebook, Twitter and Instagram topped the list of social networks used by Qataris, according to the survey.
    Qatari cartoonist Abdel Aziz Sadeq says that following the big role that social media is having on news, cartoonists are now able to receive feedback on their work.
    "Social media now helps cartoons spread out more. At first, we were limited to a small space in newspapers and we didn't know readers' reactions, if they like the cartoons or not. Nowadays, newspapers publish cartoons in the paper and through social media as well. This way we get direct response from readers who comment or click "like". So you can estimate if the cartoon is powerful enough through people's interaction. In general, cartoonists are discussing topics in a bolder way," said Qatari cartoonist Abdel Aziz Sadeq.
    All four of Qatar's Arabic daily newspapers publish cartoons on a regular basis. Whether or not they are bold enough, such cartoons have become a vital part of the country's media scene.
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