Director General of the Qatar Press Center Sadeq Mohammed Al Amari with other officials during the press conference in Nouakchott.
Doha, Qatar: The Permanent Committee for Freedoms of the Federation of Arab Journalists issued its Annual Report on the Reality of Press Freedom in the Arab World (2024–2025), including Qatar, during a press conference held in the Mauritanian capital, Nouakchott.
The report highlighted the ongoing existential crises and severe hardships confronting journalists in Gaza, where Israeli forces deliberately targeted them, resulting in the deaths of 256 journalists since October 7, 2023. It also drew attention to the risks faced by journalists working in Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Libya and Lebanon, as well as the legislative challenges and economic crises in several other Arab countries.
“Qatar has made significant progress in promoting press freedom, ranking 79th globally on the World Press Freedom Index, advancing five places from the previous year. It also topped the Middle East countries in press freedom and journalist protection, reflecting the importance of Qatar’s experience in this field and its alignment with international standards,” the report reveals.
It further said that Qatar has firmly established its position on the international map to guarantee freedom of expression and protect journalists, enabling them to perform their noble mission. “The country has long believed in freedom of the press and media as a noble message grounded in conveying the truth and ending the monopoly of information. Qatar has repeatedly called for the protection of journalists in conflict and war zones.”
The report further points out that Qatar affirms that the protection and safety of journalists remain a national priority and are regarded as essential to achieving freedom of expression. “It has also made significant efforts, both locally and internationally, to safeguard journalists’ rights.”
According to the report, the Qatar Press Center, established in December 2017 as a private institution serving the public interest under Law No. 21 of 2006, includes hundreds of members of journalists and media professionals. “It is one of the country’s leading media institutions, dedicated to serving and supporting the journalism sector in Qatar.”
The report says that the Center enjoys the support of its founders, pioneers of Qatari journalism and media who have empowered it to fulfill its mission with the required professionalism and efficiency, advancing the nation’s journalistic experience while providing a range of services to media professionals.
“The Center has been and continues to be among the first entities to condemn Israeli attacks on Palestinian journalists following the start of the aggression on October 7, 2023, documenting the martyrdom of 256 Palestinian journalists. It sent official letters to several international organizations, such as Reporters Without Borders, the International Federation of Journalists, and Human Rights Watch, calling for the protection of journalists and accountability for the perpetrators. The Center also expressed solidarity with Sudanese, Yemeni, and Syrian journalists who have suffered grave violations.”
According to the Center’s monitoring, as per report, which covers all journalists and media professionals working across the print, broadcast, and digital sectors in Qatar over the past three years, the following points summarize the reality of the media environment:
The overall environment for journalists, media professionals, and news platforms in Qatar is safe and stable, supported by legislation that guarantees freedom of opinion and expression and does not restrict journalistic work.
There are no cases of any journalist or media professional being referred to trial in connection with their professional activities, publishing, or broadcasting false news, nor are there any cases brought before the courts against journalists.
No complaints have been filed regarding verbal or physical abuse, denial of information, arbitrary detention, or enforced disappearance of journalists. Qatari law provides that the exercise of freedom of expression is accompanied by clear responsibilities and may be subject to limited restrictions to protect the rights of others.
Ministries and government agencies in Qatar are keen to engage directly with various media outlets, issuing official statements to clarify decisions and procedures, and to counter misinformation on social media. These ministries and government agencies also facilitate journalistic work, organizing field visits for reporters to cover stories freely, without interference in their reporting.
In cases where a journalist publishes inaccurate information, the affected party issues a correction. If the information is proven false, it may - under standard protocol - formally request the media outlet to publish a correction. If the outlet ignores the request, the entity then has the right to file a complaint with the public prosecution. However, the Center has recorded no such cases in recent years.
