From the divisive colonial past, authoritarian leadership, the petrodollar, the relationship with Israel and the recent American First policies of Trump, see some topline factors that affect the media in the Arab world

1. Media in the Arab World
By Henry Neondo
+254703618872
neondohenry@yahoo.com
harmanhneondo@daystar.a
c.ke
2018

2. The Arab world is a region comprising of North
Africa-the Maghreb (Algeria, Morocco, and
Tunisia), Egypt, Libya) and the Middle East (Saudi
Arabia, Yemen, Oman, United Arab Emirates (UAE),
Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Turkey,
Lebanon, Jordan, Plus Israel).
About the region

3. Political scenario
As a political entity, most of the
countries in the region were either
colonised by France or Britain…and
are characterized by authoritarian
structures (Ibahrine) , a factor that
has a great influence in the practice
of journalism.

4. Politics cont…
Journalists are hampered by regimes that are
omnipresent in almost every aspect of daily
life, including the media sector. (Ibahrine,
2008)
Economies
Most depend on oil and oil based products.

5. The setting
Key issues shaping the media in the Arab world
include;
1. The September 11 attack of the World Trade
Centre in the US
2. The 2011 Arab Spring,
3. The 1990s Gulf War,
4. The long-standing running battles between
the Arab nations and the State of Israel and
5. Oil resources.

6. MEDIA LAWS AND POLICIES
Historically, Middle Eastern governments have set
the media agenda and have viewed radio and
television as the most effective means of
promoting their political, religious, cultural and
economic agenda
While most regimes are accused of intolerance
and oppression leading to press and media
abuses, governments on the other hand view a
monopoly of the media as a matter of course

7. MEDIA LAWS AND POLICIES
cont..
• The present-day Middle East struggles to balance
the challenges of “western” culture and
modernization with traditional and religious
values (Hafez:2001).
• Coverage of such significant issues as the
Palestinian-Israeli conflict occupies center stage
in the media, and dissatisfaction fed by the media
retains the capacity to spill out into the street.

8. Censorship
Censorship of the press usually takes the form of
letting the editors know what is expected of
them. Not only is censorship practiced on printing
press and on the media but it also covers national
and international book fairs.(Mermier 2006. P 96)
Since the introduction of electronic media, many
governments in the region have exercised severe
rules of censorship, with only a few exceptions
such as Morocco and Lebanon. (Leo A. Gher, 2000)

9. LICENSING
Regulation rather than ownership is the mode of
control.
Licensing or prior permission needed in many Arab
countries.
In the UAE, the license is issued by a resolution from
the council of ministers,
in Kuwait, by the head of Print and Publications
Department,
in Bahrain, by the Minister of Information with the
endorsement of the council of ministers,
in Qatar, by the Minister of Information,

10. LICENSING
cont…
In Saudi Arabia, by the Press Corporation or a
license from the Minister of Information after
the approval of the council of ministers. Other
states that have a similar system include
Tunisia, Iraq, Algeria and Morocco.
Once issued, these licenses can be suspended
or revoked if editors or journalists violate the
laws controlling the content of what may be
published (Thussu, 2000).

11. Egypt
Egypt is a major regional media player. Its press
is one of the most influential and widely read
in the region, and its TV and film industry
supply much of the Arab-speaking world with
various productions.
Egypt was the first Arab nation to have its own
satellite, Nile sat 101. The country's first
private TV stations - Dream 1, Dream 2 and Al-
Mihwar TV-came on air in 2001, broadcasting
via satellite.

12. Egypt cont..
• The state monopoly on radio broadcasting was
broken with the arrival of private commercial
music stations in 2003.
• By offering the use of its media infrastructure
and economic support, Egypt aims to attract
foreign media companies to its

13. Qatar
The regional Arab television network, Al Jazeera,
is based here and is now one of the most
recognized media outlets in the world..
Started to counter the ubiquitous availability
of Western television in the region
..The “Al Jazeera Effect” has replaced the “CNN
Effect,” and the ripples of change are
spreading through the region

14. American First policy
• America First refers to a foreign policy in the
United States that emphasizes American
nationalism, economic nationalism and non-
interventionism, in rejection of
internationalist policies (Firzli, N; 2017).
• It has been used as a slogan by both Democrat
and Republican politicians. It is the current
official policy of the administration of
President Donald Trump.

15. • By letting Saudi Arabia get away with the murder
of US-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the
President sent a message of startling clarity about
how the United States will conduct its business in
the world (Collinson, S.; 2018).
• Collinson adds that by refusing to break with
Saudi strongman Mohammed bin Salman over
the killing in the Saudi consulate in
Istanbul, Trump effectively told global despots
that if they side with him, Washington will turn a
blind eye to actions that infringe traditional US
values.