A constant source of amusement

when I first moved to Dubai there was little in the way of UK media.

Cabbage Times, Goof News and Today and "listings" magazine Whats (not) On.

Last first, what an appalling read Whats (not) On really is. What is it that makes Editors insist on their mug shot appearing along side the editorial every month? It can only be their vanity as it serves no other useful purpose and please, some editors have very little to be vain about.......
The content is weak and by nature of it's monthly distribution will always be late, left behind, and inaccurate.
Ever planned an evening out on the strength of a Whats (not) On article.................

As for the old school news media, If you enjoyed reading Government press releases and agency news wire bulletins then your needs were duly satisfied.

Improvement over the years brought us dozens of magazines published locally, two new newspapers and the globally successful listings magazine Time Out.

Of the two new "newspapers", one is a further extension of the old, albeit in a far more convenient format and the other is a free "metro" style offering that appears purely to be the sounding board of ignorant, arrogant, spoilt western ex pats living a life that very few could afford "back 'ome". Mission will be accomplished when the letters page takes up the whole rag and pushes more agency news wire material back to the paid for rags. Cutting edge? Regurgitate any old crap more like.

Finally, the international title Time Out is the only really source of honest journalism out there.
It that because it recruits professionals not keen amateurs?
Lets face it most of the "journalists" in Dubai appear to have little or no experience before joining the "professional" (and I use that world very loosely), ranks out here in the UAE.
Or perhaps that Time Out dares to speak it's mind and highlight certain issues "ignored" by other media albeit, and perhaps because of, it's light hearted tone?

It has it's faults, we do not really need to be reminded of the other rags gaffs, they are embarrassing enough first time around without the need to relive them. Still we do have at least an entertainments mag that we can be proud of, now if the other media can please take note and catch up...........