1. Arab Media as Contra-flow

2. Star Academy on LBC

6. Demographics “Arab world” extends from the Atlantic Ocean to the Persian Gulf. Comprises 22 countries (Arab League). Population of +200 million. Economic diversity: Qatar’s per capita GDP = $87,600 Morocco’s per capita GDP = $3,700 Yemen’s per capita GDP = $2,500

7. Arab Media Market Media markets are highly dynamic (fastest growth/world) Brain drain to the west Need to correct distorted images of the region Limited personal freedom (due mostly to gov.) Very young population (2/3 under 30)

8. Broadcast Technologies Until 1990s, only govs. were responsible for decisions regarding new technologies and media policies. Often, these policies relied more on political views than marketplace considerations. Creation of ARABSAT (Arab Satellite Communication Organization) in 1976.

9. ARABSAT Goal: provide Arab space segment for all members of Arab League. 22 members of ARABSAT. Arab satellite channels have mushroomed in the last decade. (+500) mushroomed

10. Television In 1999, there were 6 private Arab satellite TV channels broadcasting to Middle Eastern audiences MBC: 1 st Arabic-language satellite tv; based in London; established itself as the premier channel for Arabs abroad (1991) FUTURE TV: “eccentric funky look, extensive family programming, Oriental-Western promotional blend”; based in Lebanon.(1993) FUTURE TV AL-JAZEERA (1996) AL-JAZEERA Al-Arabiya based in Dubai; presented itself as less sensational; 2 nd 24/7 news channel; less a ‘street fighter’ than Al-Jazeera(2003); part of MBC. Al-Arabiya

11. Television LBC: Lebanese network launched in 1985. LBCsat in 1996. Leader in transnational Arab television Rotana: t Arab world's largest entertainment company. Arab world Pan-Arab media conglomerate: film production company, a magazine, a television (Rotana TV), and seven music channels, a record label Rotana RecordsRotana Record 4Shbab: 24-hour Islamic channel- a reaction to corrupt cultural influence Arab Media Mogul: Waleed bin Talal

12. Double reaction “Our people are in need of heroes, resistance fighters, and contributors to building the country and are not in need of singers, corruption mongers, and advocates of immorality” Hamas There are people who want to cancel the contract with the producing companies, but this is opposed by the businessmen who fear that such a decision would hurt Bahrain’s reputation and undermine potential investment agreements. Parliament member from Bahrein

13. Democracy of participation Democracy of governance Marwan Kraidy

15. Social Media and Diffusion Hierarchical and Proximal Diffusion Different from the modernization model of diffusion from above. Social media played a facilitating role in the Arab uprisings of 2011

16. Aliaa ElmahdyAmina Sboui

18. Mohamed Bouazizi

19. Khaled Said

23. “Women’s corporeal visibility and citizenship rights constitute the political stakes around which the public is defined.” Nilufer Gole, 1997