tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post586814084979771380..comments2024-03-27T11:21:40.742+04:00Comments on Muscat Confidential: His Majesty points out how crap Omani Journalists areUndercover Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10577931944980469254noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-35240664417568099332008-10-19T11:34:00.000+04:002008-10-19T11:34:00.000+04:00Brilliant blog. As a Brit expat in Muscat for past...Brilliant blog. As a Brit expat in Muscat for past 8 years I see bad driving (particularly from young Omani's) everyday. The reality is they get away with it. If father had Wasta (not sure how you spell that, but you all know what I mean) theye get away with it. Wealthy families do not help by buying thier darling son of 18 a Mustang or Porche to gain driving experience. Teenage Quad bikers dodging in and out of traffic showing off just adds to the stupidity.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07811402137604676301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-72315040199787655702008-10-19T09:05:00.000+04:002008-10-19T09:05:00.000+04:00Forget investigative journalism. People have been...Forget investigative journalism. People have been facing water shortage in various parts of Muscat , which is not being reported properly, and the price increase by water tanker is justified by Times of Oman by quoting from religious texts and diverting attention to wastage of water by some people.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-17254421079664422852008-10-18T15:48:00.000+04:002008-10-18T15:48:00.000+04:00I would love the job of correcting English spellin...I would love the job of correcting English spelling and grammar in the papers and all bloody notices, shop signs etc. It drives me nuts!!! I am a would be journalist, would love to get my hands on some of the so-called ones around here!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-47403207703275058072008-10-18T15:14:00.000+04:002008-10-18T15:14:00.000+04:00ohh they all need major training and speach classe...ohh they all need major training and speach classes forgotten the right term for it ;-) but it will take a while ;-) butat least its a step in the right direction.Omani Jewelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01206721384113180710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-16959679016636091622008-10-17T13:55:00.000+04:002008-10-17T13:55:00.000+04:00KayDoubtful is right. It will take decades to get ...Kay<BR/>Doubtful is right. It will take decades to get to any proper investigative journalism here. <BR/><BR/>OIUS<BR/>Perhaps. But unlikely I suspect.<BR/><BR/>42n82bhere<BR/>Maps have always been highly controlled since the civil wars in the 50s. Modern technology of GPS, satelites and the fantastic google earth have changed the reality, but the laws and attitudes are yet to catch up. Of late, the biggest issue was always the position of the international boundaries with Yemen, RSA and UAE, as these were then officially not agreed. But that too is now sorted.<BR/><BR/>OV<BR/>Thanks for the info<BR/><BR/>On blogs<BR/>Generally, I think we’re lucky English blogs are still very much off the radar screen, with internet penetration so low and most Omanis preferring Arabic, no one in power yet really gives a toss within reason.Undercover Dragonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10577931944980469254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-28132905606494727272008-10-17T13:37:00.000+04:002008-10-17T13:37:00.000+04:00Maps need approval by the National Survey Authorit...Maps need approval by the National Survey Authority (military) when published in Oman. Maps published outside Oman, or Google Earth type mash-ups available in Oman through the internet of course are not within their control. The A-Z Street Atlas of Muscat which was published by an Omani based organization took years for approval to be given – while (on the face of it) the Explorer Guides seem able to publish in Dubai and distribute Oman maps in Oman very easily as they have several books with maps and several reprints of those books.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-78087943853569039312008-10-17T07:54:00.000+04:002008-10-17T07:54:00.000+04:001. 'Media' = pretty inclusive word; so do you figu...1. 'Media' = pretty inclusive word; so do you figure this directive is aimed at bloggers also; Will Bloggers receive training?<BR/>2. Ref: Print media. I heard from a contributor of newspaper articles that all newspapers / magazines printed in the Sultanate are prohibited from printing maps (which could, BTW, be VERY helpful in explaining many matters to the readers) to illustrate the articles. An example of what might be helpful = when water problems in Muscat area are mentioned in Times, then newspaper could show on a clear map what areas are affected. Get the idea? <BR/>So: Is it true that print media in Oman are prohibited by law/decree from printing maps???<BR/>Or: Could it be that: All maps to be printed must be 'fact checked' by an agency of the Oman Government and that would take days/years to accomplish; so print media simply avoid the issue: too time consuming.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-22205959340503460482008-10-16T18:09:00.000+04:002008-10-16T18:09:00.000+04:00Someone has been taking your colourful complaints ...Someone has been taking your colourful complaints to heart, it seems.<BR/><BR/>-Omani in USAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-14927390430433919482008-10-16T16:10:00.000+04:002008-10-16T16:10:00.000+04:00does this mean we will start to see traces of inve...does this mean we will start to see traces of investigative journalism or actual thoughtful analysis? Doubtful. The system has successfully put the fear of God in everyone (writers and readers) and even worse self-censorship is too common.Kayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00526186018568021123noreply@blogger.com