The Arab world is considered to be currently undergoing a great change. A new generation of leaders (for example Bashar al-Asad in Syria, Absallah II. in Jordan, Hamad bin Isa in Bahrain) has to face the urgency of social, political and economic reforms, which have been retarded for a long time. Yet despite a perceivable higher degree of tolerance towards discussion and dissent in some Arab countries, despite the aspired renewal and modernisation of economy and politics in their countries, the young leaders did and do not intend any far reaching change of the political system. Nevertheless a public sphere is awakening in the countries of the Middle East, expressing discontent with the present political situation and claiming more political participation and economic freedom. The kifaya movement in Egypt might be a good example for this course of events, which actually is taking place throughout the Arab world.
Strict media laws have hindered the formation of a vital civil society in the past decades. The rise of private-owned satellite television channels in the past 10 years has raised the hope that these new media will contribute to the evolving democratisation process, which is perceivably taking place throughout the Arab world. Considering the vital role of mass media in consolidated democracies, the question arises, what contribution mass media, especially television channels, can make to the democratisation process in the countries of the Middle East and Northern Africa (MENA States). Television is considered as a very capacious instrument in this process, because illiteracy is still very widespread, thus audiovisual media embody the most accessible source of information for large parts of the population.
Precise and capacious data about viewing habits is hardly available and the few statistics that exist cannot claim full validity and aren’t sufficient to confirm a comprehensive theory. As Kai HAFEZ, an expert in Arab media, put this problem: “Whereof is the function of the New Media in the context of political transformation to be measured?” Are there links between television programming and democratisation? What impact does satellite television in particular have on this process? To what extent and under what conditions can satellite television channels contribute to the democratisation process? Are media freedoms necessary prerequisites for a democratic transition or do these freedoms evolve during the democratisation process?
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The role of mass media
3. Television in the Arab World
4. Conclusions
Objectives & Core Topics
This essay explores the influence of satellite television on the ongoing democratisation processes within the MENA (Middle East and Northern Africa) region, investigating whether and under what conditions such media can act as a catalyst for political transition and the development of a vibrant civil society.
- The theoretical role of mass media in fostering democratic societies
- The historical development and specific characteristics of the Arab media landscape
- The impact of transnational satellite broadcasting on political awareness and civil society
- Barriers to democratisation, including censorship, "red lines," and state control
Excerpt from the Book
Television in the Arab World
In the late 1950s Iraq and Lebanon were the first countries to establish terrestrial broadcasting television channels in their capitals. Since then television was considered as a mighty tool by Arab governments, because it could be used to mobilise the masses to gain support for governmental politics. Due to this fact, television was subordinated to information ministries; in most cases the television services were anyway state-owned. A very strict censorship secured the state-owned information monopoly, oppressing all critical voices, creating a top down pattern of information. The triggering effect that led to the establishment of private owned satellite television services was the experience during the Gulf War 1990/91, where CNN was the only television channel which was able to provide news casting from the Iraq.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the political transformation of the Arab world and poses the research question regarding the role of satellite television in the democratisation process of the MENA states.
2. The role of mass media: This section explains the theoretical functions of mass media in modern democracies and discusses the specific differences and challenges faced by media in underdeveloped, non-democratic countries.
3. Television in the Arab World: This chapter traces the development of Arab television from state-controlled terrestrial broadcasting to the rise of private satellite channels and discusses the resulting liberalisation, professionalisation, and existing censorship mechanisms.
4. Conclusions: The final chapter summarizes that while satellite television contributes to political awareness and fights apathy, its democratising potential is currently limited by authoritarian constraints and the lack of a fully independent civil society.
Keywords
Satellite Television, Democratisation, MENA States, Arab World, Civil Society, Mass Media, Political Reform, Censorship, Al Jazeera, MBC, Public Sphere, Media Liberalisation, Political Transition, News Casting, Authoritarianism
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this work?
The work examines the role of satellite television channels as potential drivers of democratisation in the Middle East and North Africa.
What are the primary themes discussed?
Key themes include the transformation of the Arab media landscape, the impact of new information technologies, the functions of mass media in political change, and the persistent challenges of censorship.
What is the main research question?
The essay aims to determine whether and under what conditions satellite television can contribute to the democratisation process in the MENA states.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The study uses a qualitative analysis approach, synthesizing contemporary media theories with an assessment of the current state of the Arab media landscape.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main section covers the function of mass media in consolidated democracies vs. developing countries, the evolution of Arab television, and the influence of major networks like Al Jazeera and MBC.
Which keywords characterize the work?
Primary keywords include Satellite Television, Democratisation, MENA States, Civil Society, and Media Liberalisation.
How does the author evaluate the impact of the channel Al Jazeera?
The author identifies Al Jazeera as a pioneer in breaking taboos, but notes that its impact on civil society is nuanced, distinguishing between sensationalist content and genuine political debate.
What is the author's conclusion regarding the "democratising effect" of satellite media?
The author concludes that while satellite television helps foster political awareness and fight apathy, it is not a sufficient tool for democratisation on its own due to structural limitations and authoritarian regimes.
- Quote paper
- Marius Sauter (Author), 2006, The Impact of Arab World Satellite Television on the Democratisation Process in the MENA States, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/57550
