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

Posted by timothy on from the little-touchy dept.

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."

10 of 107 comments (clear)

  1. It reminds me of the US by mrchaotica · · Score: 4, Insightful

    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.

    --

    "[Regarding the 'cloud,'] ownership was what made America different than Russia." -- Woz

    1. Re:It reminds me of the US by Baloroth · · Score: 5, Insightful

      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.

      --
      "None can love freedom heartily, but good men; the rest love not freedom, but license." --John Milton
    2. Re:It reminds me of the US by jklovanc · · Score: 5, Insightful

      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.

    3. Re:It reminds me of the US by AK+Marc · · Score: 4, Informative

      Having moved out of the US, I'm surprised at the lack of punishment for criminals. In the US, a criminal conviction is often a lifetime sentence, jobs, houses, and such are harder to come by. But in other parts of the globe, a prison sentence is "time served" and when you are out, you are treated like a regular person, so long as the criminal conviction isn't about something you are trying to do (i.e. a conviction for sexual assault of a minor or whatever will hurt your chances of being an elementary school teacher, but probably not a university teacher, and fraud conviction will hurt your chances of being CFO, but probably not COO).

      So don't generalize the US "a criminal conviction is a life-long sentence" attitude to the rest of the world. It might not apply.

      --
      Learn to love Alaska
  2. defaming the UAE society's image abroad by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    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?

  3. Streisand effect ? by Alain+Williams · · Score: 4, Insightful

    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 ?

  4. Dubai jails self for creating bad press for Dubai by WaffleMonster · · Score: 5, Insightful

    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.

  5. Re:Clean your own house first by WaffleMonster · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Take care of your own house first before you complain about the actions of your neighbors.

    Why does each task need to be executed sequentially rather than concurrently? Is there a hidden dependency forbidding concurrent execution?

    The USA has plenty to feel guilty about. Stories like this tend to emphasize injustices elsewhere in the world, and IGNORE that these same injustices may be happening at home, but are under-reported.

    Smells like "Buuut Mommmmy ... Jonny did it toooo"

  6. Re:God damn! by murdocj · · Score: 4, Insightful

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

  7. The UAE is not an open society by bunyip · · Score: 5, Informative

    Don't ever confuse Dubai with an open and modern society. It's a monarchy that needs to hold onto power and does not toerate criticism or free speech of any kind. They walk a fine line between the glamour of business, yet holding onto traditional values and conservatism.

    It's also illegal to kiss in public, even for a married couple. People have been arrested, imprisoned and deported for such indecency.