Despite Press Freedom Restrictions, Arab Media Forum Starts Tuesday in UAE

Hundreds of media personalities and analysts from around the world will participate at the Dubai World Trade Centre for the 15th edition of the Arab Media forum on May 10 and 11.

The two-day forum came only a week after U.S. based Freedom House issued its annual report which accused UAE authorities of stepping up restrictions on press freedom.

The report said that "nearly all media outlets serving Emirati audiences are either owned or heavily influenced by the authorities, and individuals who use internet-based platforms to publicize dissenting views or sensitive information increasingly face arbitrary detention or criminal prosecution."

The forum starts while UAE continues to detain a Jordanian jounalist for a Facebook post, in addition to dozens of online activists and bloggers.