On cyber bulling and Twitter mentions

Recent royal decrees reflect the reality of a new and young Saudi Arabia. A generation of Al-Saud, mostly men in their 20s and 30s, has been assigned to lead major institutions.

Many experts and competent figures from the society are holding key ministerial positions.

The decrees reflect the people’s pulse as economic and administrative challenges are being seriously addressed. However, what’s strange is the rise in cases of cyber bullying driven by vengeance toward certain ministers.

Declining moral values

For example, if we look at the tweets in which education minister Dr Ahmad al-Issa is mentioned, we can see the extent of declining moral values among many people.

This calls for a deep analysis as most of these statements mock, insult and disrespect educational values.

There is no need for anybody to cyber bully or direct vengeance against ministers who are leaving their positions. Accountability and transparency are the basic pillars of the era of King Salman bin Abdulaziz.

This article was first published in Okaz on April 27.
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Turki Aldakhil is the General Manager of Al Arabiya News Channel. He began his career as a print journalist, covering politics and culture for the Saudi newspapers Okaz, Al-Riyadh and Al-Watan. He then moved to pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat and pan-Arab news magazine Al-Majalla. Turki later became a radio correspondent for the French-owned pan-Arab Radio Monte Carlo and MBC FM. He proceeded to Elaph, an online news magazine and Alarabiya.net, the news channel’s online platform. Over a ten-year period, Dakhil’s weekly Al Arabiya talk show “Edaat” (Spotlights) provided an opportunity for proponents of Arab and Islamic social reform to make their case to a mass audience. Turki also owns Al Mesbar Studies and Research Centre and Madarek Publishing House in Dubai. He has received several awards and honors, including the America Abroad Media annual award for his role in supporting civil society, human rights and advancing women’s roles in Gulf societies. He tweets @TurkiAldakhil.