Upload a Spoof Video, Go To Jail (In Dubai)

Taco Cowboy writes with news, as reported by the BBC, that eight people have been imprisoned in Dubai for creating a spoof video about youth culture in that country, for which they were accused of acting "with the intent of inciting to actions, or publishing or disseminating any information, news, caricatures, or other images liable to endanger state security and its higher interests or infringe on the public order." "The video, posted to YouTube, was a gentle satire on young men in the Satwa residential suburb of Dubai who adopt a 'gangsta' pose despite living the sedate, prosperous lifestyle more usually associated with Dubai residents."

Comments

It reminds me of the US

[mrchaotica]

As an American, it's hard to criticize Dubai when kids in the US getting expelled from school and/or arrested over the content of their jokes or writing assignments.

Re:It reminds me of the US

[Baloroth]

As an American, it's hard to criticize Dubai when kids in the US getting expelled from school and/or arrested over the content of their jokes or writing assignments.

No, it's still very easy to criticize. Just make sure you criticize everyone who acts like that.

Re:It reminds me of the US

[jklovanc]

There is a major difference between a couple of days off school and 8 months in prison and a permanent criminal record. Yes there have been some questionable arrests but I have yet to see convictions and prison sentences in the US.

Any country that can not take a little criticism of their youth really needs to take a hard look at themselves. The only way to change bad things is to first admit they are happening.

They have a good reason

[paiute]

These guys have to keep a paranoid, choking control on the people. Oil-filthy-rich nations in the region have to be praying that no organization whose initials are AQ would have the brilliant idea to take them over instead of wasting their time bombing malls and the streets outside embassies. I mean, how much effort would it take to overthrow Dubai? About as much as it would take to assume control of the Cleveland Rotary Club, maybe?

Re:They have a good reason

[AK Marc]

Don't they have more working immigrants than citizens now? If there were unrest, they'd have no way to keep control. It's more like Apartheid than anything else there. There are two classes, Citizens, and others. And the citizens live large (and silly) while the others do all the real work to keep it going.

defaming the UAE society's image abroad

[Anonymous Coward]

A state security court found them guilty of "defaming the UAE society's image abroad", according to the state-owned newspaper, The National.

Does anyone else find it funny that this arrest is "defaming the UAE society's image abroad" much more than the video ever would?

Streisand effect ?

[Alain Williams]

I would never have seen this video if they had not been tried in a kangaroo court. What makes Dubai a laughing stock, the video or the prison sentences ?

Dubai jails self for creating bad press for Dubai

[WaffleMonster]

Dubai's reaction generated more bad press for themselves and significantly enhanced viewership of a YouTube video nobody should waste their time watching...

Keep up the good work Dubai.

Halliburton

[Princeofcups]

No wonder Cheney moved Halliburton to Dubai. After 8 years in office, this is what he always wanted the US to be.

Re:God damn!

[murdocj]

I wondered how long it would take to morph a discussion on how Dubai suppresses speech into "USA Evil!!!!" Congratulations!

Re:God damn!

[rsilvergun]

My understanding is America is a large part of what made the Middle East so extreme. We meddled in their politics to keep Communism from spreading and ended up putting some really awful people in power. Our relentless thirst for cheap oil doesn't help matters much either.