Huffington Post’s New Arabic Site Under Fire for Anti-Gay, Anti-Atheist Post

[cleanhippie]

The Huffington Post has come under fire for blog posts on it’s new Arabic-language site that detractors claim are homophobic and anti-atheist.

BuzzFeed drew attention to one Huffington Post Arabi blog post last week that lambasted the Egyptian government for “allowing a press conference for gays in the heart of Cairo” and for allowing atheists to appear on television.

In another post, the author begs Muslims youth to “stop adopting such sick behaviors that come to destroy our traditions and the basics of human cultural identity.” That sick behavior? Taking a selfie.

It’s certainly a different tone for a website typically known for its liberal bent. One Huffington Post higher-up told BuzzFeed that the anti-selfie blog post in particular does not “reflect HuffPost’s global editorial viewpoint, nor the viewpoint of our HuffPost Arabi editors.”

Meanwhile, the anti-gay post has been replaced with the following message in English and Arabic: “This blog should not have been published as it contradicts the Huffington Post’s editorial positions and guidelines which are based on encouraging positive dialogue and mutual respect. It has therefore been taken down.”

http://www.mediaite.com/online/huffington-posts-new-arabic-site-under-fire-for-anti-gay-anti-atheist-post/

[David__77]

1. Sounds like both conservative articles were removed. Great.

...

[Lordquinton]

2. Good on them for correcting the mistake at least

Hopefully this ferments a change and not just a gesture to let the heat blow over.

[cleanhippie]

4. Only after the backlash.

[Lordquinton]

5. Well, naturally

I don't think anyone corrects anything unless there is sufficient complaint these days.

[Curmudgeoness]

3. The headline seems intended to smear HuffPo Arabi.

I don't see anything to indicate that the smear is merited...at least so far. They took down the posts, they made it clear that this was not the message that they wanted. As long as it doesn't continue to be a problem, I don't think that there is much to say about this. But there is always someone who is interested in finding fault with anything that aims at the Arab community.

[Warren Stupidity]

6. A no win situation for them.