More ramblings

And so the debate over mainstream media coverage of the recent events in Iran wages on. In a slightly more lighthearted vein, Gulf News managed to put three of the most unrelated news stories next to each other yesterday.

The recount story. Important bit of news. I'd suggest that the deaths of 7 overnight, the beatings and burnings at the University, and a bit of analysis on overall situation might have been more worthy of the front page, rather than a rather badly written summary of the official statements issued by the Iranian regime.

Ok so, it's not a great story, but it is important world news worthy of top headline status, which it has got. Iran is right next door. And this is the Gulf News. And this country is full, full, full of Iranians, who are rightly rather upset and concerned about the events in their country.
So what do they put next to it? Paris fucking Hilton. The sub-head reads "Hollywood glamour burst from the doors of an aircraft at Dubai Airport as Paris Hilton touched down in the UAE - and Gulf News was there to capture the moment."

Gulf News was also there to "capture a moment" when the Iranians went out on the streets of Dubai to protest. That picture was buried in the back somewhere and I had to dig to find it on the web. There wasn't any mention of the protests on the streets outside the Iranian embassy in Dubai.

In contrast, there are big fat stories pondering "What Paris will do in Dubai?", "Paris' first comment on landing in Dubai" {when can i see the desert} "Competition - win Paris' handbag"
And to top it all off, the other story that made the front page..... "British women told to keep their tops on abroad." Right. Because all of us Brits have been flaunting our bosoms around Dubai like a fleet of Carry on up the Sheikh Zayed Road nymphettes.

I despair.

The light at the end of the tunnel for me tho, was a little snippet in dear old Gulf News reporting that Dr Al Fahim has been replaced as CEO of Hydra. I can't help but wonder if that might be related to the fact that the New York Times wrote a rather scathing article recently, noting that the University where Dr Fahim (as he insists on being addressed) doesn't actually offer the doctorate program in real estate that he apparently completed. Never has. Good plan that - make up a doctorate, create a TV show that is a complete rip off of "The Apprentice" and you've styled yourself as Donald Trump, sell a shed-load of real estate then forget to build the actual houses, buy a football team, and expect everyone to sit back and laud you with praise and reward.

The words - You're fired.... must be ringing in his ears...