“It’s true that you have to comply with certain conditions in order to get a filming permit in Qatar. We at ARD are also affected by this,” said the German news agency dpa. “We are not only familiar with such requirements with regard to reporting from Qatar, but such an approach is also common in many other countries – such as recently in China.” ARD will “nevertheless use all the opportunities available to it, as planned, not only to report on sports, but also to report critically and profoundly on the World Cup in Qatar.”
Shooting and film bans
According to unanimous statements, the conditions include a ban on filming locals in their private rooms or accommodations in which guest workers are housed. These restrictions also apply in government buildings, churches, universities, hospitals and private businesses. These restrictions are part of a list of conditions that filmmakers must agree to in order to be allowed to film. According to the Guardian, they also apply to photographers.
ARD is also “in direct talks with FIFA about the conditions.” ZDF also “is committed to comprehensive reporting from the World Cup host country outside the stadiums,” said the second on Monday. The broadcaster is “in talks with FIFA about the conditions for filming permits.”
The first also explained: “The personal impressions and experiences of our colleagues on site will also play a major role – and of course they will not be subject to any censorship. In addition, ARD has already had the negative ones in extensive documentation in recent months sides of this World Cup and will continue to do so.”
Infantino: “Great culture of welcome”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, in the discussion about how to deal with human rights in the World Cup host country Qatar, promoted what he believed to be a great culture of welcome. “This World Cup, the tournament of peace and unity, will be the one that brings the world together after difficult times. I repeat it clearly: everyone will be welcome – regardless of origin, background, religion, gender, sexual orientation or nationality ” said Infantino.
Most recently, the situation of the LGBTQI+ community in Qatar was discussed in particular. LGBT is the English abbreviation for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. The variants LGBTQ, LGBTQI or LGBTQIA+ are also often used. Each letter represents one’s gender identity or sexual orientation.
Imprisonment for gays threatened
Anyone who makes their homosexuality public in Qatar can be punished with long prison terms – people from the LGBTIQ+ community and women were recently advised against traveling to the finals in Qatar from November 20th to December 18th. “We should never underestimate the unifying power of such a unique event,” Infantino said on Monday.
Meanwhile, ticket sales are approaching the three million mark, as the World Cup organizers announced on Monday. Most tickets have so far been sold in Qatar itself or in the United States and Saudi Arabia, said World Cup boss Colin Smith. A total of 240,000 hospitality packages for the month-long tournament in Qatar have been sold so far, according to Infantino.
The smallest country that has ever hosted a football World Cup is preparing for an estimated 1.2 million World Cup visitors. Thousands of fans are expected to remain in neighboring countries such as the UAE tourism hub during the finals and fly to Doha for matches due to Qatar’s limited accommodations.
Source: Nachrichten
