Economy / Kuwait
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Kuwait
October 2006 | Ratings UpdateSorry, you must be a subscriber to view this article in full. If you are a subscriber please login.
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Although the new landmark Press and Publications law will have a net positive effect on political freedom in Kuwait, we continue to have some concerns. The law may stipulate that a journalist cannot be imprisoned for what he/she writes, but with the caveat 'without a final court ruling'. Hence the practice has not been ruled out completely. Moreover, seemingly to counteract this liberalisation, the new law also strengthens the non-custodial penalties to be applied in these cases: a fine of up to US$70,000 can now be imposed on anyone who criticises Islam or the al-Sabah family.