Qatari Newspapers Editorials

Doha, November 06 (QNA) - Qatari newspapers underlined in their editorials on Sunday that the State of Qatar attaches a priority to the safety of journalists and considers it a prerequisite for realizing the right to freedom of expression. The Qatari dailies highlighted Qatar's participation in the Safety of Journalists: Protecting Media to Protect Democracy High-Level Conference in Vienna, stressing that the State of Qatar has always believed in the freedom of press and media as a lofty message based on conveying facts and ending the monopoly of information, and has repeatedly stressed the importance and necessity of protecting journalists in areas of conflict and war. Locally, the Qatari newspapers highlighted the strength of the Qatari economy as one of the strongest economies in the region and among the most promising economic globally. The papers noted that Standard & Poor's rating agency upgraded Qatar's credit rating to "AA" with a stable outlook, just two days after Moody's raised its outlook for Qatar from "stable" to "positive", making Qatar one of the highest rated countries in the GCC region. For its part, Al-Sharq highlighted Qatar's participation in the Safety of Journalists: Protecting Media to Protect Democracy High-Level Conference in Vienna, and the address of HE Assistant Foreign Minister Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater, which reflects the importance that the State attaches to ensuring the safety of journalist as one of its priorities and a prerequisite for realizing the right to freedom of expression. Al-Sharq said that the great attention paid by the State of Qatar to the safety and protection of journalists is evident in its roles and initiatives, most importantly its great role in evacuating hundreds of journalists from Kabul during August 2021 events. In addition, Qatar hosted an international conference on the protection of journalists in 2012, as well as the international conference to protect journalists and the International Declaration on the Protection of Journalists in 2016. In conclusion, Al-Sharq emphasized that the State of Qatar fully supports the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, and welcomes the progress and efforts made to ensure its implementation. In the meantime, it calls on all countries and relevant institutions of the international community to work together to ensure the protection of journalists, especially those working in conflict zones, and reiterates the need to hold accountable those involved in the attacks against journalists without exception. Meanwhile, Qatari daily Al-Raya underlined that the State of Qatar has always believed in the freedom of press and media as a lofty message based on conveying facts and ending the monopoly of information, and has repeatedly stressed the importance and necessity of protecting journalists in areas of conflict and war. The paper noted that HE Assistant Foreign Minister Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater asserted in her speech before the Safety of Journalists: Protecting Media to Protect Democracy High-Level Conference in Vienna that the State of Qatar ensuring the safety of journalists is among Qatar's priorities and a prerequisite for realizing the right to freedom of expression. Speaking about the freedom of press and the protection of journalists, HE the Assistant Foreign Minister referred to the murder of Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, stressing that the failure of the Israeli occupation forces to admit their crime is an attempt to escape criminal responsibility. She called for an independent international investigation and accountability for those responsible for this heinous crime, Al-Raya added. Al-Watan newspaper said that the Qatari economy today is one of the strongest regional economies and among the most promising economies at the global level, as it continued to grow during the current year, after the decline that occurred in 2020. Under the title, strong economy, the newspaper highlighted preliminary data that indicated that the GDP during the first half of the year grew by 4.3 percent, supported by the growth of the non-oil sector by 7.3 percent compared to the same period of the previous year. As for inflation rate in Qatar, which amounted to only 4.6% in the first half of the year, it is lower than the inflation rates in many developed countries. The credit rating agency, Standard & Poor's (S&P), raised Qatar's credit rating to AA with a stable outlook, just two days after Moody's revised its outlook for Qatar from stable to positive, making Qatar one of the highest-rated countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council region, the newspaper noted. It referred to Standard & Poor's expectations that the State of Qatar will achieve large budget surpluses and reduce debt servicing costs in a sustainable manner, thanks to the successful government strategy to pay off debts that have come to maturity. This positive rating is supported by the combined positive impact of increased production capacity of LNG facilities, strong growth in the non-oil sector, continued economic diversification within the framework of Qatar National Vision 2030, a strong position in net assets and the proven resilience of the country's policy, Al-Watan said. Al-Watan concluded its editorial by saying that all this came while the economies of many developed countries suffer from declining growth and high inflation rate, and what we see in Qatar is a strong achievement that confirms the soundness of economic trends at various levels. For its part, The Peninsula newspaper said that as excitement is mounting worldwide, with passion reaching the fever pitch in Qatar. Only two weeks are left when hosts Qatar will take on Ecuador on Nov. 20 at Al Bayt Stadium following the opening ceremony. Under the title, "Time to celebrate", the newspaper said that FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is the first major tournament that fans can enjoy completely after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the sports events globally, and the entire world is itching to celebrate every moment of it. The promotional events being organized by Qatar Embassies in different countries are getting an overwhelming response. In Ottawa, the Embassy of the State of Qatar organized a ceremony, which was attended by officials in the Canadian government, the Canadian Parliament representatives, officials of the Canadian sport authorities, civil society and academics along with a host of members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Canada. Such events to promote the World Cup were also held in Athens and Guangzhou, The Peninsula noted. The entire Arab world is also excited backing teams of their region including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Morocco, who are also expected to get a huge crowd support during their World Cup matches. The Peninsula concluded by saying that the organizers have announced their complete readiness to host an estimated 1.2 million fans in a befitting manner. They are confident of staging a highly successful World Cup by ensuring best experience for fans. (QNA)