KUWAIT MEDIA ELECTION COVERAGE JUNE 1-6: KEY ISSUES

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 KUWAIT 002152 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/PA, NEA/AIA, NEA/P, NEA/PI, INR/NESA, R/MR, I/GNEA, B/BXN, B/BRN, NEA/PPD, NEA/IPA FOR ALTERMAN LONDON FOR TSOU PARIS FOR ZEYA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO KDEM PGOV KU FREDOM AGENDA SUBJECT: KUWAIT MEDIA ELECTION COVERAGE JUNE 1-6: KEY ISSUES CRYSTALIZE REF: KUWAIT 002081 ¶1. Summary: With registration for candidates closed, the media in Kuwait has switched focus from announcing entrants into the race for Parliament to reporting on candidate platforms and those withdrawing their candidacies. Among the news coverage, several key issues have crystallized and are receiving consistent reporting in the print and broadcast media. They are: the impact of women in the elections, the fight against corruption and vote-buying, and the future of political reform through constituency redistricting. Also receiving attention are illegal "primaries" in which coalitions or tribes vote for candidates. Kuwait's only privately owned TV station began airing nightly two-hour newscasts dedicated entirely to elections. Of two private satellite channels on election issues that were to launch this week, one debuted and one was blocked. In addition to the print and broadcast media, Kuwaiti blogging sites are packed with free-wielding comments on all of the election news and gossip. End summary. Print Media Retains Its Leading Role -------------- ¶2. Despite the recent introduction of new TV sources and some candidates launching Internet sites, Kuwait's five Arabic-language and three English-language newspapers remain the leading source of election news for the vast majority of Kuwaitis. What's more, the private print media is cashing in on a news-hungry public and on candidates eager to secure advertising space. The editor-in-chief of the leading Arabic-language daily Al-Rai Al-Aam summed it up best when asked about his philosophy on election coverage, "To make money," he said. The newspapers continue to entice readers with attention-getting headlines. Samples include, "New 'Primary' Seized and Public Prosecution Continues Its Investigations," Al-Qabas, front page, June 5; "Al-Khorafi: My Reservation about the Law Was Not against Granting Women Their Rights," Al-Anbaa, front page, June 7; and "Poll: Women Optimistic of Winning Seat," Arab Times, front page, June 7. ¶3. To be sure, some of the headlines are printed for shock value and to attract buyers. This is especially so for front-page headlines. On the inside pages, however, the Arabic-language newspapers in particular are dedicating up to twelve page on candidates, their platforms and other election news. The majority of these extended election sections are generated from reports of nightly happenings at candidate election tents, or campaign headquarters. In typical Kuwaiti campaign style, candidates erect large diwaniya-style tents, serve food or beverages, make speeches and talk with voters. Reporters also receive written information from candidates explaining key platform positions. Candidates are also purchasing advertising in the papers' election sections. From this coverage three issues have crystallized as receiving consistent attention: the impact of women in the elections, the fight against corruption and vote-buying, and the future of political reform through constituency redistricting. How Will Women Fare? -------------- ¶4. By far, women candidates and the challenges they face are the focus of much reporting. Newspapers, TV, radio, and internet blogging sites are awash with news about the platforms of women candidates and opinions as to whether a woman will be elected. "Candidates Open Their Doors for Women Voters via Women's Committees," Al-Watan, pg. 81, June 6, and "Nation Invariables Grouping: A Woman should Not Go to Polling Stations and Electoral HQs Without the Permission of Her Guardian," Al-Rai Al-Aam, pg. 27, June 7, are two headlines that illustrate the range of opinions being expressed on the topic. ¶5. To a lesser extent, but still significant, has been coverage of the new Kuwaiti female electorate itself. Regardless of whether a woman candidate wins, some 195,000, of them, 60 percent of voters, will cast their ballots for the very first time in three weeks. Who they vote for and the influence they will collectively have on the makeup of the new Parliament are the main focuses of the subject. "Involvement of Women in Elections Will Effect the Results of These Elections," Al-Qabas, pg. 18, June 6, and "Nabila Al-Anjari: Women Candidates Will Tip the Scales," Al-Anbaa, pg. 14, June 4, are typical examples of newspaper headlines on the topic. The public TV channel Al-Rai reported on the number of women who will not be able to vote. Citing the Minister of Defense, it reported that 54,000 women are ineligible due to unreported address changes and because they have not been Kuwaiti citizens for the required 20 year period in order to be eligible. KUWAIT 00002152 002 OF 003 Constituency Reform -------------- ¶6. While the women held the attention of the public and press this week, the issue that sparked the early election in the first place, constituency reform, is beginning to re-emerge as a paramount voter concern. Commentators from every sector of society have begun to speculate in the media on what the election will mean for reform. "Talal Al-Ayyar: Constituencies Will Figure High on the Agenda of the Upcoming National Assembly," Al-Seyassah, pgs. 14, June 5, and "Ahmad Al-Mulaifi: The Corrupt Camp Has Won the electoral Constituencies Battle," Al-Rai Al-Aam, pg. 24, illustrates the interest in the subject. Questions being raised on the issue include: will the new Parliament be pro-reform or con; if reformers control the new Parliament will there be ten, five or one revised constituencies; if after elections new constituencies are approved quickly, what would that mean for the new Parliament's legitimacy? Corruption -------------- ¶7. Allegations of vote-buying continue to be readily reported in the newspapers, discussed on TV talk shows and on the Internet. "90 Percent of Those Polled Do Not Trust Government Serious About Combatting Primaries and Vote-Buying," Al-Qabas, front page, June 5, is one sample. The daily Al-Rai Al-Aam on June 3 ran a cartoon on pg. 55 depicting two men in Arab dress each holding a ballot-style box and each reaching across to stuff something into the other's box. One man is depositing cash, the other a checked voting ballot. Corruption and vote-buying are popular issues on local blog sites. One, Sahat Safat, a political blog site popular with the 20-35-year age group, encouraged Kuwaitis to send in by email documents proving that vote-buying is occurring. Bloggers openly criticized the Government of Kuwait for its denial of corruption. Opinions on the subject are freely wielded such as the following, "The Kuwait people are not so stupid as to believe that the government doesn't know what's going on." Another blogger commenting on Defense Minister Shaykh Jaber Al-Mbarak's denial in the press that vote-buying occurs wrote, "The proof is in the pudding. Not only are voters being bought, but they're getting pretty creative about it . . . [candidates] are buying plasma TV for diwaniyas and getting satellite dishes and memberships to watch the World Cup!" Illegal Primaries -------------- ¶8. Candidatures in Kuwait and intended to be open to individuals, and so primaries are illegal. However, several political groups and local tribes have reportedly been holding primary votes in order to select district candidates. "Number of Violating 'Primaries' Surged to 13," Al-Qabas, pg. 12, June 4, demonstrates press interest in the topic. An Al-Qabas public survey also revealed that 90 percent of those polled believed that the Kuwaiti Government is not serious about combating primaries and vote buying. Media on the Take -------------- ¶9. Corruption also reportedly occurring in the media during campaign season. Reporters and editors have told EmbOff that many journalists accept cash payments to assist certain candidates in their campaigns. In exchange for money the reporter prints positive stories about the candid and ensures that his or her message is depicted in the best possible light. Though no reporter admitted to EmbOff accepting such payments, they insist that it is widely practiced, particularly in the print media. An editor-in-chief of a large daily newspaper confirmed that this is an issue at his paper. He gave one example of how a candidate gave all the reporters who attended his campaign speech an envelope containing 240 dinars, approximately $850. The reporters gave the envelopes containing the cash to the editor, who, because of their honesty, allowed the journalists to keep it. Private TV Steps in to Fill a Gap -------------- ¶10. Kuwait's only private TV channel Al-Rai has begun taking up the slack left by public TV, which is not addressing election issues in any meaningful way (reftel). On June 5 the Al-Rai debuted a new two-hour nightly newscast dedicated exclusively to elections. "Al-Omma" ("The Nation") airs from 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., prime time viewing hours in Kuwait. Hosted by two anchormen, the show features interviews and open debates between candidates, political KUWAIT 00002152 003 OF 003 commentators and other opinion makers. The inaugural show on June 5 featured female candidate Aisha Al-Reshaid and a conservative professor of Shari'a (Islamic) law at Kuwait University. This was the first time that an Islamist faced a woman candidate on Kuwait TV. The body language spoke volumes as it was evident that the conservative professor avoided looking at his female counterpart. A lively debate ensued about whether Islam permits women to vote or to hold office. The professor stated that "women may vote, but that they must not hold elected office because the Quran forbids women to rule over men." Al-Reshaid countered by asserting that the Islamists had previously been against women voting, but now that they need their votes they have changed direction and so women can vote, but not hold office. ¶11. Two new private satellite channels devoted to elections were also slated to debut this week. One, the "Parliament Dome" aired for the first time on June 5, and is rumored to be backed by conservatives. The other channel, the "We Want It Alliance," a reference to the reformist slogan "We Want It Five [the number of constituencies]", was due to air on June 6, but the signal was blocked. Al-Qabas daily quoted sources from the channel as saying that "a minister" from the GOK had blocked the transmission because it was "not in compliance with laws" and would be broadcasting "controversial subjects." The ministry responsible for satellite transmissions is the Ministry of Information. The channel is backed by "National Alliance," a reformist group. Both channels are designed to broadcast taped material via satellite. Bloggers Fill Cyberspace with Opinions -------------- ¶12. Kuwaiti blog sites too are addressing election issues. Bloggers give insight into the thinking of the up-and-coming Kuwaiti generation, the 20-35 age bracket. Not unexpectedly, sites dealing with political issues are chock full of comments on every election topic. Moreover, sites that normally focus on nonpolitical topics are posting more and more comments on voter concerns. Like in the mainstream media, attention is centered on women, vote-buying and reducing corruption through redistricting. A typical comment on the impact of female voters went, "The influence of women voting may not lead to any changes simply because the majority of tribal women will end up following their husbands due to their weakness.... The bottom line is that it won't make a difference." One blogger captured the essence of what the election means for reform among the younger reformist Kuwaitis. He wrote, "We all know that it was the liberals that began the campaign for five districts. It was amazing to see how so many who were initially against it now support it during their campaign (even those from religious groups). Bottom line, we shouldn't suddenly change our mind if the other party wants to join. It's for the benefit of the country regardless of whether they are liberal or conservative. We should all stick together rather than change our minds just because the other party is now against us." ¶13. Comment: While women, vote-buying, and reform are the three main themes emerging as voter concerns, they are interwoven. Due to sheer numbers, the new female electorate holds the key. In much of the reporting and commentary on major issues that appear in the media, predicted outcomes are often dependent on how other issues turn out. For example, reform through redistricting depends on the makeup of the new Parliament. The makeup of the new Parliament will depend on how women vote. And whether women are any more or less susceptible to alleged vote-buying or other outside influences is dependent on something that at present is nonexistent, a history of Kuwaiti female voters in a national election. Only the sanctity of the secret ballot of 195,000 women will give us the answer in three SIPDIS weeks' time. End comment. ********************************************* * For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/?cable s Visit Kuwait's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/ ********************************************* * TUELLER