Gulf News Puts Foot In It

Five days ago the normally sensible and respectable Gulf News published this article about the threat of closure of a women's shelter in Dubai. No names were mentioned, but as the only shelter of its type is the one run by Sharla Mussabeh, folks naturally assumed that that was the one being talked about. As it happens, fellow blogger Chevygirl is a friend of Sharla, and they spoke on the phone. Sharla has received no such threats of closure or eviction.

Two days ago Emirates Evening Post picked up the story and featured a front-page interview with Sharla.

So now you have the history. Gulf News appears to have published a hugely biased and completely inaccurate article that has no basis in fact. Today they published a letter from the owner of the villa that Sharla uses, who states she has had no contact from any authorities regarding the villa. Strangely, this letter and GN's reply do not appear on their website. However, GN did post a little reply to the letter pointing out that no names were named, so how does the owner of the villa know they were talking about her?

Gulf News. What on earth are you playing at? If there is another shelter in Dubai similar to Sharla's then please tell us about it. This is disingenuous tosh of the highest order and does not represent the standard of reporting we expect from Gulf News.

Grrr.