Same place, different media literacy: A comparison of Arabic- and English-language newspapers in the United Arab Emirates

By Dr. Matt J. Duffy, Zayed University Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and Dr. Saba ElGhul-Bebawi, Swinburne University of Technology Melbourne, AustraliaPresentation for AUSACE 2011 conference • Beirut, Oct. 28-Nov. 1

 Like most Arab countries, ranked ‘Not Free’ by Freedom House But, as Rugh (2004) notes UAE newspapers ‘do show independence of the government in criticizing the work of various ministries, such as health, labor, and education’ Few protections for journalists leave journalists erring on the side of caution• Journalist who cross ‘red lines’ worry about fines, loss of visa – but no longer jail

 Founded in 2008 to provide growing Abu Dhabi an English-language newspaper Venture of government-owned Abu Dhabi Media Company

 Chairman said The National ‘was born out of a vision that recognizes the key role that a free, professional and enlightened press plays in the national developmentH.E. Mohamed process’Mubarak Al Mazrouei

 Hired 200 Western journalists Editor from UK’s Telegraph newspaper  He left post after a year Paper looks as good as any large metropolitan daily Other paper in Abu Dhabi is Arabic-language daily, Al Ittihad  Also government owned

 Does The National succeed in bringing Western-style journalism to the UAE?  Or does self-censorship prevail? How does coverage in The National differ from coverage in Al Ittihad? How about a Critical Discourse Analysis to find out?

 ‘Media Literacy’ literature ‘Principles of Journalism’ by Kovach and Rosenthiel  Truth and verification  Loyalty to citizens  Independence from powerful figures and institutions  Space for public criticism and compromise  Comprehensive and proportional reporting

 Examined April 2011 Qualitative analysis Four questions:  Is it clear from the reporting that the newspaper is interested in verification and truth-telling?  Do the journalists serve as independent monitors of power?  Are the people interviewed allowed to offer criticism and debate issues?  Do the reports offer a comprehensive review of the news, or do they highlight some elements while omitting others?

 Newspapers took dramatically different tacks toward reporting the news Pictures on front page offer starkest example…

How The National differs from all the other UAE newspapers…

 The National never published a government press release without at least some additional reporting Al Ittihad would often run press releases verbatim with government news agency tag (WAM)

 National reporting would feature interviews with residents as well as government officials  Took impartial tack Al Ittihad would only interview government officials; perspective of residents would be voiced as journalists opinion  No ‘man on the street’ interviews

 Both papers would independently monitor those in power (at least criticize) Both unlikely to identify exactly what official may be in charge of problem  Al Ittihad less likely than The National Al Ittihad didn’t cover court/crime during sample month Business coverage in news section (of both) was mostly toothless

 The National offered more coverage of Arab Spring  Nearly every picture on front page in April focused on uprisings From 7Days (Dubai Tabloid) Al Ittihad offered only two photos of Arab Spring during April Both papers offered muted coverage of Bahrain, an ally of UAE Five democracy advocates arrested for “insulting rulers” in UAE  Al Ittihad only reported arrests via editorial  The National reported them after official word

 The National offered many examples upholding ‘principles of journalism’ Impartial reporting, verification  Distinction between news and editorial But self-censorship persisted in certain areas Monitoring of powerful impaired by avoidance of naming names Also business (in the news section) reporting notably restrained

 Al Ittihad creates quite a different ‘media literacy’ Journalism of ‘assertion’ rather than ‘verification’ No distinction between opinion and impartial news No quotes from residents, just government officials, other public figures  Impact on participation? Little accountability for those in positions of authority. Why?

 Audience study would help further explore findings Are these findings unique or is Arab journalism much like Al Ittihad?  Are these characteristics all due to government restrictions? What is impact of Al Ittihad’s coverage on participation? Culture? Prickly issues surround these findings  Is there a “right” way to do journalism?

www.mattjduffy.com Paper, presentation available on www.academia.edu/@mattjduffy mattjduffy

Same place, different media literacy: A comparison of Arabic- and English-language newspapers in the United Arab Emirates

by Matt Duffy on Jan 10, 2012

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