Manama: The editor in chief of Al Sharq, one of Qatar’s largest dailies in Arabic, on Monday handed his resignation following the inadvertent publication of “morally inappropriate images” as henna designs.
The images were published in one of the supplements inserted within the daily.
Jaber Al Harmi, a highly appreciated figure in the Qatari media, said he assumed full responsibility for the mistake and apologized profusely in an open letter he posted on Al Sharq website.
“All the apologies are certainly not enough regarding the gross mistake that occurred by publishing a morally inappropriate image in a supplement with Al Sharq newspaper,” Al Harmi wrote. “I take full responsibility before God, my country Qatar country and the people who trusted me with the words and pictures we publish. I also assume my full responsibilities before the board of administration who entrusted to me the task of leading the newspaper team. God is my witness that what happened is a completely unintentional mistake, and everyone knows very well Al Sharq’s editorial policy and the character of those in its charge,” Al Harmi, whose opinions were often ought on pan-Arab political shows, wrote.
Al Harmi said it was the worst mistake in his 25-year-old career in the print media.
“I do not seek to defend myself, but everybody knows that mistakes do occur, especially in the world of the media that demands speed, accuracy and credibility on 82 pages on every single day. The Monday edition when the mistake occurred in fact had 112 pages,” he said.
“As our values, principles and morals are a zero tolerance area and a red line not to be crossed, I have handed in my resignation to Al Sharq board for their decision.”
Al Harmi said that the journalist who published the picture was sacked and that his immediate superior was given a warning with a salary cut.
Stricter measures will be taken regarding the follow up and publication of texts and pictures, he added.
