Stupid. Kuwait bans DSLR Photography.

[Kairho]

I hope this report is not correct.

Kuwait moves to ban digital camera use in public

Three government ministries in the Gulf state have outlawed the use of "digital SLR" (single lens reflex) cameras in public for all citizens except accredited journalists

Multi ministry camera ban frustrates artists

The Ministry of Information, Ministry of Social Affairs and Ministry of Finance recently came to the conclusion that photography should be used for journalism purposes only. This has resulted in the ban of Digital Single Lens Reflex Cameras (DSLRs) in public, on the streets and in malls.

[Ned]

They've definitely banned larger cameras including all DSLRs, even the small DSLRs. There is also now a concern expressed on several photography sites that the wording of the ban might mean that DSLRs brought into the country by tourists might be subject to confiscation even if packed in luggage, or carried in a case, over one's shoulder.

There is no word from the Kuwaiti government on why the ban was imposed, or more details of the parameters of the ban.

[Loonbeam]

And why would banning DSLRs be different than point and shoot, which may have similar capabilities....

Originally Posted by Ned

They've definitely banned larger cameras including all DSLRs, even the small DSLRs. There is also now a concern expressed on several photography sites that the wording of the ban might mean that DSLRs brought into the country by tourists might be subject to confiscation even if packed in luggage, or carried in a case, over one's shoulder.

There is no word from the Kuwaiti government on why the ban was imposed, or more details of the parameters of the ban.

[Kairho]

Originally Posted by Loonbeam

And why would banning DSLRs be different than point and shoot, which may have similar capabilities....

HA! You're looking for nonexistant transparancy!

[Ned]

The following is from an article in the Kuwait Times, from yesterday, retracting their original story, from which every other newspaper, blog, and other news sources, across the globe, based their articles about Kuwait banning DSLR cameras.

On Saturday, November 20, 2010 the Kuwait Times published an article titled 'Multi ministry camera ban frustrates artists' in which incorrect information was provided. The newspaper regrets failing to verify the information. The article wrongly stated that a ban on DSLR cameras was implemented by the Ministries of Information, Social Affairs and Finance. This information is false. In a follow up investigation, it was proved that no such ban has been issued. We regret this error and deeply apologize for any inconvenience caused.

So Kuwait has not banned the use of DSLR cameras for any type of photography, public or private.

[Ned]

Is anyone wondering like me ...

Was Abdullah Al-Qattan really at fault for not investigating the report before he wrote the article, or

did Kuwait actually ban DSLRs then seeing the firestorm, including angry young Kuwaiti men, "retract" the ban themselves and got the Kuwait Times to order Abdullah Al-Qattan to retract the article as if it was his fault?

[jfrenaye]

Throw Abdullah under the bus!