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Saudi Arabia banned the distribution of al-Hayat, a leading Arab newspaper, for a third consecutive day on Wednesday as the government attempted to pressure the paper into dropping a columnist who has criticised the administration, journalists said.A source at al-Hayat’s office in Riyadh said the government had been upset by recent columns criticising the agriculture ministry’s handling of the mysterious death of some 2,000 camels-so far blamed on poisoning rather than an infectious disease-and articles critical of the health ministry following the death of a young girl after a medical operation.The paper, which prints a Saudi edition with a circulation close to 200,000 inside the kingdom, had been told it had “crossed a red line,” the source said. Al-Hayat was discussing the issue with government officials and was standing by the columnist, Abdelaziz al-Suwaid, the source added.Journalists say the move is a setback for the media in the highly conservative kingdom, particularly as some increase in press freedom had been cited by reformers as one of few positives as they push for change.The Saudi media has recently covered the arrest of reformers, abuses by the kingdom’s powerful religious police and encouraged debate about other social issues.However, there are still “red lines” the press does not cross, including criticism of the royal family and religious issues, and self censorship is common.Many had hoped that after King Abdullah succeeded his brother two years ago there would be an increase in reform in the kingdom. Iyad Madani, the information minister has been considered by some as one of the more modernising cabinet members.However, reformers have criticised the pace of change and alluded to a struggle within the royal family, liberals and conservatives over the need for reform.“Now there is some pressure to narrow the margins of freedom,” said one advocate of reform.Al-Hayat is owned by Prince Khaled bin Sultan, the deputy defence minister and son of Crown Prince Sultan. The al-Hayat source said Prince Khaled bin Sultan was insisting that the paper is independent and should be able to write freely.“There has been an improvement, but this is a bad step,” one journalist said.
PS:Islam ENSLAVES people and of course since Saudi Arabia is the site for "holy mecca"they won't change their laws just for people who wants true freedom.
Freedom of speech is included...Sadly...it seems that muslims in general-an muslims governments- have like a paranoid attitude regarding what it is said about them in the media.They are Control Freaks.....!That's aprt of the Shari'a Law...Remember the Saudi"religious police"....??Well that's the same deal that the "religious police" chasing young women in Teheran....
Only in JESUS there's TRUE FREEDOM....!John 8:32
I really feel for the journalists and people in general that want freedom in Saudi Arabia......
As in the days of Noah...
