Journalism in the UAE

Well i think the most vital artery of society is its media. Like what obama said at the white house correspondents ball (youtube it), without the journalists, there is no news, without news there is no education and that a free and vibrant media is essential to a nation. No matter the stance on issues these publications take.
Theres the problem right there. Free and vibrant. We've definitely got vibrant news here in the UAE, with all the hate talk about israel and about stuff which 'everybody hates' like america. But its not free. Real, juicy journalism is the stuff which doesnt agree with societys norms. Stuff which brings shock, awe and debate to the forum of media. Not stuff which everyone agrees on. Why would i want to read that everyday for the next 12 months?

Now i understand that we reside in a hierarchical society and that the powers that be dont allow that kind of freedom. But what bothers me is that they portray it as free. They gladly bash israel every single day, but when it comes to reporting about a palestinian man who ran over 2 jewish kids with a bulldozer and was finally killed after a 2 hour confrontation with the police, guess what the headline reads. " Palistinean murdered in cold blood by Israeli police". It has reached a point where a holocaust denier was given a whole opinion section in a mainstream newspaper to write his anti-semitic remarks. He said the holocaust was staged. But i dont know who was the bigger criminal :
1. Him
2. The bunch of people who sent 'letters to the editor' agreeing with him
3. Or the editor who actualy printed those letters. Who obviously agreed with those people, who agreed with the journalist.

Thats what im talking about. Fair enough, we live in caged and constrained times, but dont turn it into gonzo journalism. Its one thing to hate robin hood because he steals from the rich and gives it to the poor. But its completely different when you call yourself robin, but keep the money to yourself. Hope you understand that weird analogy i thought of in the past 20 seconds.
Anyways the point is, that its vibrant and not free. I think those two are related and you can only enjoy real journalism when theres liberty.
Yes, theres no freedom, but then dont go out portraying yourself as a newspaper that has an opinion and stands for values, stay neutral. Because those average folk who read the papers will think its actual raw, unhindered, non-biased reports. Those average folk don't acknowledge that in fact its one big puppet show. Stay controlled and dont try to be a pinnochio.

Thats the underlying message im trying to project. Dont say the shops free, when you charge people to come in.

P.S - Bloody hell ive got an english board exam tomorrow

Till next time,
TheDubaiGuy