In a reflective editorial piece, Khaleej Times Chief Content Officer Ted Kemp outlined the complex ethical landscape modern news organizations navigate, using three recent stories from the UAE as illustrative examples.
The publication recently covered a heartwarming animal rescue operation after Pakistani expat Muhammad Zohaib spotted a stranded husky from his 50th-floor Sharjah residence. This initiated a coordinated effort involving digital journalist Laraib Anwer, animal rescuers, and dragon boat racers who successfully saved the dog named Meli from an uninhabited island and reunited it with its owners.
Conversely, the newspaper reported on practical concerns affecting the UAE’s substantial Indian community. Indira Gandhi International Airport will implement enhanced security measures for Republic Day celebrations later this month, resulting in 2.5-hour daily flight disruptions throughout much of January. This coverage demonstrates the newspaper’s commitment to serving the informational needs of the UAE’s diverse expatriate populations.
Most significantly, the editorial addressed the publication’s ethical stance regarding a tragic automobile accident in Abu Dhabi that claimed the lives of four siblings. While some media outlets and social media platforms circulated images of the minor victims, Khaleej Times maintained a firm policy against publishing photos of minors without familial consent, honoring the grieving family’s specific request despite the story’s widespread circulation elsewhere.
This comprehensive approach reflects the newspaper’s operational philosophy: celebrating positive developments, providing practical information to communities, and maintaining ethical boundaries even when competitors choose different paths.