Comments on: Iqbal Tamimi – "Get-the-BLOG outta here." Obstacles facing women journalists http://palestinethinktank.com/2008/05/13/iqbal-tamimi-get-the-blog-outta-here-obstacles-facing-women-journalists/ Free Minds for a Free Palestine Tue, 16 Mar 2010 21:10:21 +0300 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: LZ McDonald http://palestinethinktank.com/2008/05/13/iqbal-tamimi-get-the-blog-outta-here-obstacles-facing-women-journalists/#comment-443 LZ McDonald Mon, 19 May 2008 11:21:07 +0000 http://palestinethinktank.com/?p=250#comment-443 For Iqbal Tamimi, and all others fighting such injustice, Please continue your couragous battle - the acceptance and support of women leaders in journalism would be a symbolic victory for the improvement of our societies in all aspects. BarakAllahu feekum For Iqbal Tamimi, and all others fighting such injustice,
Please continue your couragous battle – the acceptance and support of women leaders in journalism would be a symbolic victory for the improvement of our societies in all aspects.
BarakAllahu feekum

]]> By: Saleh http://palestinethinktank.com/2008/05/13/iqbal-tamimi-get-the-blog-outta-here-obstacles-facing-women-journalists/#comment-317 Saleh Thu, 15 May 2008 23:12:01 +0000 http://palestinethinktank.com/?p=250#comment-317 *After correcting some gramatical errors* Good moorning Mrs. Iqbal and Mrs. Mary, From your active and positive interaction and discussion regarding the very critical and important topics here, I would like to add the following conclusion: - The man is playing a very important role in the women life, and the women are not able to get their requirements and needs alone and independantly, or by force if it is needed. Thus, they -The women- need to seek for their rights using different and more suitable ways. For example, they shouldn't let any one to consider them as a sexual tools only. On the other hand, they should exert more efforts in growing up a better males’ generations. Womens are very important for our world, but only the very… stupid and evil persons can’t understand this truth, and they will keep working against it. So please don’t allow any of those evil people to be happy with succeeding in hiding you or trying to do any bad to you and to destroy us and themselves consequently. Hope you a very pleasant time. *After correcting some gramatical errors*

Good moorning Mrs. Iqbal and Mrs. Mary,

From your active and positive interaction and discussion regarding the very critical and important topics here, I would like to add the following conclusion:

- The man is playing a very important role in the women life, and the women are not able to get their requirements and needs alone and independantly, or by force if it is needed. Thus, they -The women- need to seek for their rights using different and more suitable ways. For example, they shouldn't let any one to consider them as a sexual tools only. On the other hand, they should exert more efforts in growing up a better males’ generations.

Womens are very important for our world, but only the very… stupid and evil persons can’t understand this truth, and they will keep working against it. So please don’t allow any of those evil people to be happy with succeeding in hiding you or trying to do any bad to you and to destroy us and themselves consequently.

Hope you a very pleasant time.

]]> By: Saleh http://palestinethinktank.com/2008/05/13/iqbal-tamimi-get-the-blog-outta-here-obstacles-facing-women-journalists/#comment-288 Saleh Thu, 15 May 2008 03:25:26 +0000 http://palestinethinktank.com/?p=250#comment-288 Good moorning Mrs. Iqbal and Mrs. Mary, From your active and positive interaction and discussion regarding the very critical and important topics here, I would like to add the following conclusion: - The man is playing a very important role in the issue, as the women can't get their requirements and needs themselves and by force if it is needed. Thus, they -The women- need to seek for their rights by applying different and possible methods, among them is to forbid whoever from considering them as a sexual tool. On the other hand, they should do more effort on growing up better males’ generations. You are very important for our world, and only the very… stupid and evil person who can’t understand this truth. So please don’t allow any of those evil people be happy with succeeding on hiding you and destroying us and themselves consequently. Hope you a very pleasant time. Good moorning Mrs. Iqbal and Mrs. Mary,

From your active and positive interaction and discussion regarding the very critical and important topics here, I would like to add the following conclusion:
- The man is playing a very important role in the issue, as the women can't get their requirements and needs themselves and by force if it is needed. Thus, they -The women- need to seek for their rights by applying different and possible methods, among them is to forbid whoever from considering them as a sexual tool. On the other hand, they should do more effort on growing up better males’ generations.

You are very important for our world, and only the very… stupid and evil person who can’t understand this truth. So please don’t allow any of those evil people be happy with succeeding on hiding you and destroying us and themselves consequently.

Hope you a very pleasant time.

]]> By: iqbal Tamimi http://palestinethinktank.com/2008/05/13/iqbal-tamimi-get-the-blog-outta-here-obstacles-facing-women-journalists/#comment-278 iqbal Tamimi Wed, 14 May 2008 13:51:16 +0000 http://palestinethinktank.com/?p=250#comment-278 Mary... I am not against good looking people. Good looks are an added point but media in the first place is about handling information, and being able to influence people. The double standard I was talking about is something else. Arab countries like to claim they are reserved and that they do care about traditions, and they claim that they like a modestly dressed lady. But I hope you have been reading Arabic news to find out how many female journalists have filed legal suits against their establishments. Do you have any idea why? Their jobs were terminated, or they were transferred to a position where no one will see them. They were discriminated against because they chosen to wear Hijab. A man can grow his beard but a woman can't wear a Hijab. They would tell you there are a number of presenters wearing Hijab in Arab TV shows... I would say yes there are...but they wear it the traditional way, not the religious way.... three quarters of their hair is showing, their faces are full of make up in an exaggerated way. As a matter of fact they look more attractive with this kind of so called Hijab. Mary… I am not against good looking people. Good looks are an added point but media in the first place is about handling information, and being able to influence people.
The double standard I was talking about is something else. Arab countries like to claim they are reserved and that they do care about traditions, and they claim that they like a modestly dressed lady. But I hope you have been reading Arabic news to find out how many female journalists have filed legal suits against their establishments. Do you have any idea why? Their jobs were terminated, or they were transferred to a position where no one will see them. They were discriminated against because they chosen to wear Hijab. A man can grow his beard but a woman can't wear a Hijab. They would tell you there are a number of presenters wearing Hijab in Arab TV shows… I would say yes there are…but they wear it the traditional way, not the religious way…. three quarters of their hair is showing, their faces are full of make up in an exaggerated way. As a matter of fact they look more attractive with this kind of so called Hijab.

]]> By: Mary Rizzo http://palestinethinktank.com/2008/05/13/iqbal-tamimi-get-the-blog-outta-here-obstacles-facing-women-journalists/#comment-272 Mary Rizzo Wed, 14 May 2008 10:18:15 +0000 http://palestinethinktank.com/?p=250#comment-272 I know what you mean, but it's not only in the Arab speaking world! It's true all over the place. Although, there are indeed exceptions, the attractive women who are also fantastic journalists. My own sister, who is an attractive woman, was a radio DJ for about 25 years. When they went "cable" (the radio show was also televised) they asked her to get a nice haircut and wear makeup. She thought that was a reasonable request, she was the image of the show and it should have something that is not sloppy. But, she noticed that while she was expected to have a different "outfit" each day, the men would come in five minutes before, some of them sloppy and unshaved and uncombed and wearing dirty or wrinkled clothes and she never saw anyone tell them to do something about it. She one day wore the same t-shirt her colleague wore a few days earlier (she had the same one, not his!) and they told her she couldn't go on with a t-shirt for the Chicago Cubs! I mean, it was a total double standard. She knew it and said, look at the recording from a few days ago, this shirt didn't get changed on him! They would find one reason or another to make things hard for her, and in the end, she got fed up and gave her resignation. They hired another woman in her place who had no experience, did not know how to handle calls in direct, did not know anything about radio, BUT, she was a real babe!... this is how it works everywhere. The men can look the pits, no one cares. I know what you mean, but it's not only in the Arab speaking world! It's true all over the place. Although, there are indeed exceptions, the attractive women who are also fantastic journalists.

My own sister, who is an attractive woman, was a radio DJ for about 25 years. When they went "cable" (the radio show was also televised) they asked her to get a nice haircut and wear makeup. She thought that was a reasonable request, she was the image of the show and it should have something that is not sloppy. But, she noticed that while she was expected to have a different "outfit" each day, the men would come in five minutes before, some of them sloppy and unshaved and uncombed and wearing dirty or wrinkled clothes and she never saw anyone tell them to do something about it. She one day wore the same t-shirt her colleague wore a few days earlier (she had the same one, not his!) and they told her she couldn't go on with a t-shirt for the Chicago Cubs! I mean, it was a total double standard. She knew it and said, look at the recording from a few days ago, this shirt didn't get changed on him! They would find one reason or another to make things hard for her, and in the end, she got fed up and gave her resignation. They hired another woman in her place who had no experience, did not know how to handle calls in direct, did not know anything about radio, BUT, she was a real babe!… this is how it works everywhere. The men can look the pits, no one cares.

]]> By: iqbal Tamimi http://palestinethinktank.com/2008/05/13/iqbal-tamimi-get-the-blog-outta-here-obstacles-facing-women-journalists/#comment-271 iqbal Tamimi Wed, 14 May 2008 08:27:07 +0000 http://palestinethinktank.com/?p=250#comment-271 Mary...Allow me to tell you something about TV channels in the Arab world from my working experience. The majority of female presenters have nothing to do with media; their credentials are beautiful looks regardless of the stuffing of the skull. I dared them before, and I do that now again to present programmes upon their own knowledge, without the use of the earpiece, or the autocue... and without the help of the army of producers and assistant producers, feeding them every single information. For the general public, they do see women working, so they think we have equality which is not the case. This is another kind of slavery; they are only interested in their looks, treated like dummies, thus depriving educated able journalists from both genders to be where they should be. Women are used; they are not assigned according to their skills and capabilities, and manipulated as a trap for who are fishing for ‘desirable’ looks to climb the viewing scale. Have a look at the pictures of presenters and some writers in magazines. They are posing like cover girls; they are not setting down normally like everybody else. They know deep down themselves that they should sell something to attract a hungry eye. This is DEMEANING for women educated or not. Mary…Allow me to tell you something about TV channels in the Arab world from my working experience. The majority of female presenters have nothing to do with media; their credentials are beautiful looks regardless of the stuffing of the skull. I dared them before, and I do that now again to present programmes upon their own knowledge, without the use of the earpiece, or the autocue… and without the help of the army of producers and assistant producers, feeding them every single information.
For the general public, they do see women working, so they think we have equality which is not the case. This is another kind of slavery; they are only interested in their looks, treated like dummies, thus depriving educated able journalists from both genders to be where they should be. Women are used; they are not assigned according to their skills and capabilities, and manipulated as a trap for who are fishing for ‘desirable’ looks to climb the viewing scale.
Have a look at the pictures of presenters and some writers in magazines. They are posing like cover girls; they are not setting down normally like everybody else. They know deep down themselves that they should sell something to attract a hungry eye. This is DEMEANING for women educated or not.

]]> By: Mary Rizzo http://palestinethinktank.com/2008/05/13/iqbal-tamimi-get-the-blog-outta-here-obstacles-facing-women-journalists/#comment-269 Mary Rizzo Wed, 14 May 2008 07:59:01 +0000 http://palestinethinktank.com/?p=250#comment-269 Re Saleh's interesting comments (and Iqbal's spirited and enlightening reply!) I can only add a bit of my own experience as having worked in publishing back in the 80s...and I don't think things have changed: women are seen as consumers... they make the purchase choices and they are the goal of advertisers. Now, this explains why "Women's magazines" are generally 75% advertising, occult or obvious. For women to break out of that role as the consumer that is pinned upon them (when we actually ALL consume, but that is not our prime human role) they have to break into a different kind of editorial product, one that is slightly less advertising oriented, and this would be I suppose a paper that is not "specifically aimed at them". However, all societies have to deal with erogating power in an equitable way... It is a male dominated world we live in. Re Saleh's interesting comments (and Iqbal's spirited and enlightening reply!) I can only add a bit of my own experience as having worked in publishing back in the 80s…and I don't think things have changed: women are seen as consumers… they make the purchase choices and they are the goal of advertisers. Now, this explains why "Women's magazines" are generally 75% advertising, occult or obvious.

For women to break out of that role as the consumer that is pinned upon them (when we actually ALL consume, but that is not our prime human role) they have to break into a different kind of editorial product, one that is slightly less advertising oriented, and this would be I suppose a paper that is not "specifically aimed at them".

However, all societies have to deal with erogating power in an equitable way… It is a male dominated world we live in.

]]> By: iqbal Tamimi http://palestinethinktank.com/2008/05/13/iqbal-tamimi-get-the-blog-outta-here-obstacles-facing-women-journalists/#comment-267 iqbal Tamimi Wed, 14 May 2008 07:41:16 +0000 http://palestinethinktank.com/?p=250#comment-267 to Mr. Saleh... tell me WHY???? The problem with the media in the Middle East is that we are looked upon by the West as if we are practicing Islam or abide by Sharia Law you are talking about, which is absolutely a load of nonsense. Arab Women never slumped that low regarding their rights... ever. Can you tell me why we are not allowed like Asma Bint Omais who used to be the representative of women to the prophet’s council? She used to go to his meetings and delegations , set down and speak on behalf of women's rights, put down her requests, and say what she thinks. Can you tell me who is allowing us to do so freely now? Can you tell me why almost 600 female Arab poets were dropped from the memory or any documentation since the era of the Andalosian female poet Walladah Bint Almostakfee? Can you tell me why we do not have women like Aesha Bint Abu Baker who used to teach Shareea laws to men to follow at the prime of Islam, while the prophet was there and no one dared to say otherwise because he ordered them to take knowledge through her? Does any prominent Muslim scholar in this age confess that he earned all his knowledge and education and studies of religious law through women like the Imam Alshafii did? Unfortunately it is a political game to keep women oppressed. And religion is used wrongly to feed people rubbish information. None of the Arab states are following Shareea. They only try to hitch hike on Shareea when the matter suits them. This attitude harmed us Muslem women very much. We are thought of differently in the west, they do not know anything about us, and who we are and what we have achieved... and no thanks for Arab Media which is keeping us away. Some women can lead a nation...while some dozen of men don’t know how to lead one goat to graze. to Mr. Saleh… tell me WHY????

The problem with the media in the Middle East is that we are looked upon by the West as if we are practicing Islam or abide by Sharia Law you are talking about, which is absolutely a load of nonsense.
Arab Women never slumped that low regarding their rights… ever.
Can you tell me why we are not allowed like Asma Bint Omais who used to be the representative of women to the prophet’s council? She used to go to his meetings and delegations , set down and speak on behalf of women's rights, put down her requests, and say what she thinks. Can you tell me who is allowing us to do so freely now?

Can you tell me why almost 600 female Arab poets were dropped from the memory or any documentation since the era of the Andalosian female poet Walladah Bint Almostakfee?

Can you tell me why we do not have women like Aesha Bint Abu Baker who used to teach Shareea laws to men to follow at the prime of Islam, while the prophet was there and no one dared to say otherwise because he ordered them to take knowledge through her?

Does any prominent Muslim scholar in this age confess that he earned all his knowledge and education and studies of religious law through women like the Imam Alshafii did?

Unfortunately it is a political game to keep women oppressed. And religion is used wrongly to feed people rubbish information. None of the Arab states are following Shareea. They only try to hitch hike on Shareea when the matter suits them. This attitude harmed us Muslem women very much. We are thought of differently in the west, they do not know anything about us, and who we are and what we have achieved… and no thanks for Arab Media which is keeping us away.
Some women can lead a nation…while some dozen of men don’t know how to lead one goat to graze.

]]> By: Saleh http://palestinethinktank.com/2008/05/13/iqbal-tamimi-get-the-blog-outta-here-obstacles-facing-women-journalists/#comment-248 Saleh Wed, 14 May 2008 01:35:40 +0000 http://palestinethinktank.com/?p=250#comment-248 Alsalamualaikum Mrs Iqbal, I think that for womens to get their full rights, we need to have a real men in our communities. There is no excuse for any man to not to give any of the women any part of their rights, also the women should fight peasefully untill they get those rights, and that is what you are doing. A question: - Why can't we see womens' newspapers or any other type of media, so that the full staff from top to bottom to be handled by them?!... I think that by discussing the mentioned question, we may solve most of the problems you are eraising in this excellent article, but this question may lead to another topics and more complicated questions too. Note that any of the suggestions I have included in this comment is to follow the Islamic Laws (Shariaa). Thanks for your great efforts Mrs Iqbal. Alsalamualaikum Mrs Iqbal,

I think that for womens to get their full rights, we need to have a real men in our communities.

There is no excuse for any man to not to give any of the women any part of their rights, also the women should fight peasefully untill they get those rights, and that is what you are doing.

A question:
- Why can't we see womens' newspapers or any other type of media, so that the full staff from top to bottom to be handled by them?!…
I think that by discussing the mentioned question, we may solve most of the problems you are eraising in this excellent article, but this question may lead to another topics and more complicated questions too.

Note that any of the suggestions I have included in this comment is to follow the Islamic Laws (Shariaa).

Thanks for your great efforts Mrs Iqbal.

]]> By: eileen fleming http://palestinethinktank.com/2008/05/13/iqbal-tamimi-get-the-blog-outta-here-obstacles-facing-women-journalists/#comment-231 eileen fleming Tue, 13 May 2008 18:43:01 +0000 http://palestinethinktank.com/?p=250#comment-231 There is no need to change your name and sites- do not allow people to post directly onto your blog. Always maintain control of your posted and published material as the definitive source and when your articles/blogs are published by others, engage in dialogue with them there. Here are two interesting ones from my encounters with the right wing Zionist USA cabal on the supposedly democratic free speech progressive blogs: WAWA blog June 7, 2007: It Sure Smells Like a Right Wing Zionist Cabal at The Daily Kos WAWA Blog October 24, 2007: Censoring Gravitas, Blowing Out Doors and Tearing Down Walls Eileen Fleming, Reporter and Editor WAWA: http://www.wearewideawake.org/ Author "Keep Hope Alive" and "Memoirs of a Nice Irish American 'Girl's' Life in Occupied Territory" and the soon to be released "BOOM BOOM BENNY STORY" Producer "30 Minutes With Vanunu" and "13 Minutes with Vanunu" There is no need to change your name and sites- do not allow people to post directly onto your blog.

Always maintain control of your posted and published material as the definitive source and when your articles/blogs are published by others, engage in dialogue with them there.

Here are two interesting ones from my encounters with the right wing Zionist USA cabal on the supposedly democratic free speech progressive blogs:

WAWA blog June 7, 2007: It Sure Smells Like a Right Wing Zionist Cabal at The Daily Kos

WAWA Blog October 24, 2007: Censoring Gravitas, Blowing Out Doors and Tearing Down Walls

Eileen Fleming, Reporter and Editor WAWA:
http://www.wearewideawake.org/
Author "Keep Hope Alive" and "Memoirs of a Nice Irish American 'Girl's' Life in Occupied Territory" and the soon to be released "BOOM BOOM BENNY STORY"
Producer "30 Minutes With Vanunu" and "13 Minutes with Vanunu"

]]> By: Crystal Robert http://palestinethinktank.com/2008/05/13/iqbal-tamimi-get-the-blog-outta-here-obstacles-facing-women-journalists/#comment-225 Crystal Robert Tue, 13 May 2008 17:48:50 +0000 http://palestinethinktank.com/?p=250#comment-225 Ooops... I pressed the wrong key and I had not finished to comment... I live in Canada and I also blog because no mainstream media will publish anything that could harm the "Beast's image. In general, at work in any professions, women are paid less than men for the same job and same amount of hours. It seems to be the same pretty much everywhere! I had to change IDs and blogs a few times since the Zionist evil entity came after me in 2004. It was pretty heavy... Last week, I had to delete three blogs again. What I do is that I keep the contents of my blog and just re-post it on a new blot under a new ID. I tell myself that what matters is the message and not the messenger... Ooops… I pressed the wrong key and I had not finished to comment… I live in Canada and I also blog because no mainstream media will publish anything that could harm the "Beast's image.

In general, at work in any professions, women are paid less than men for the same job and same amount of hours. It seems to be the same pretty much everywhere!

I had to change IDs and blogs a few times since the Zionist evil entity came after me in 2004. It was pretty heavy… Last week, I had to delete three blogs again. What I do is that I keep the contents of my blog and just re-post it on a new blot under a new ID. I tell myself that what matters is the message and not the messenger…

]]> By: Crystal Robert http://palestinethinktank.com/2008/05/13/iqbal-tamimi-get-the-blog-outta-here-obstacles-facing-women-journalists/#comment-224 Crystal Robert Tue, 13 May 2008 17:24:50 +0000 http://palestinethinktank.com/?p=250#comment-224 Great article Iqbal! I just discovered this site, but I love it. So much info! Great article Iqbal! I just discovered this site, but I love it. So much info!

]]> By: eileen fleming http://palestinethinktank.com/2008/05/13/iqbal-tamimi-get-the-blog-outta-here-obstacles-facing-women-journalists/#comment-216 eileen fleming Tue, 13 May 2008 12:08:33 +0000 http://palestinethinktank.com/?p=250#comment-216 Thanks for the above and I am USA civilian journalist, which is a blogger who goes out seeking and reporting the truth because the USA PAID media will not. I always viewed the personal attacks coming from hitting the nerves of truth and the people who attack want to keep the truth unknown. I never considered using a pseudo-name and have a link to my site that tells me my USA Government not only hit on WAWA daily, they daily download pages and files. Even if Big Brother were my only readers-it is well worth the time and effort, because I have hope that education will lead to compassion and compassion is the way to change. "HOPE has two children. The first is ANGER at the way things are. The second is COURAGE to DO SOMETHING about it."-St. Augustine Eileen Fleming, Reporter and Editor WAWA: http://www.wearewideawake.org/ Author "Keep Hope Alive" and "Memoirs of a Nice Irish American 'Girl's' Life in Occupied Territory" and the soon to be released "BOOM BOOM BENNY STORY" Producer "30 Minutes With Vanunu" and "13 Minutes with Vanunu" Thanks for the above and I am USA civilian journalist, which is a blogger who goes out seeking and reporting the truth because the USA PAID media will not.

I always viewed the personal attacks coming from hitting the nerves of truth and the people who attack want to keep the truth unknown.

I never considered using a pseudo-name and have a link to my site that tells me my USA Government not only hit on WAWA daily, they daily download pages and files.

Even if Big Brother were my only readers-it is well worth the time and effort, because I have hope that education will lead to compassion and compassion is the way to change.

"HOPE has two children. The first is ANGER at the way things are. The second is COURAGE to DO SOMETHING about it."-St. Augustine

Eileen Fleming, Reporter and Editor WAWA:
http://www.wearewideawake.org/
Author "Keep Hope Alive" and "Memoirs of a Nice Irish American 'Girl's' Life in Occupied Territory" and the soon to be released "BOOM BOOM BENNY STORY"
Producer "30 Minutes With Vanunu" and "13 Minutes with Vanunu"

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