So what price press freedom for the occupants of Dubai’s Media City? Now that the Dubai authorities have shut down two independent UAE-based TV channels (GEO and ARY), it all looks a little bit wobbly. The test comes, and the UAE caves in. But in all of this, few questions have been asked about Dubai’s suitability as a media safe haven.

New York-based NGO, Human Rights Watch, is calling for Dubai to reinstate the channels. Asia director Brad Adams says:

“By making itself a party to Musharraf’s repression of the Pakistani media, Dubai is damaging its own international reputation,” said Adams. “This move sets an appalling precedent and raises serious questions about Dubai’s viability as a regional hub for the international media.”

Well, yes it does. But where is the discussion of that point? What does someone like Andrew Neil think? He just chaired a big media conference in Dubai, and doesn’t often struggle to get his point of view heard. Is he concerned?

Can press freedom really exist outside democracy and the rule of law – and is Dubai really on a journey towards such institutions? Or is its regime as happy to buy journalists as racehorses?

Here’s Geo TV anchor, Kamran Khan, talking to Dawn TV about the shutdown of Geo (just to remind any of the occupants of Media City of what actually happened):

…I am sure that there must be some legal remedies available for the people who are now based in the Dubai Media City. It is a question of their image. It is a question of their, you know, not only image but there are so many media outlets placed there and they would take it as a message that, you know, one day they can be shut by a phone call, which people thought may be the case. But we never imagined that it would actually happen and…