Due to changing regulations regarding public expression in Qatar, Getting to Know Qatar is now a private blog. You may request permission to access the site by clicking here: Write to me.
Qatar's Emir has approved a controversial new cybercrime law that would punish anyone who creates and shares online content that's deemed harmful to the country's "social values" or "general order."
Emir Signs Cybercrime Legislation into Law, DohaNews.co
Punishment for violating the laws terms include jail time and fines in excess of 250,000QR.
The broadly worded restrictions on publishing "false news," as well as truthful content about an individual's "private or family life," have been criticized for potentially limiting freedom of speech in a country that is home to one of the largest news outlets in the Middle East, the Al Jazeera Media Network.
For more than three years I've written a blog every week that I feel reflects a positive experience in Qatar. Given the general wording of the law, however, I'm not confident that a censor would agree in all cases.
I'm sad to go!
