In a world where most people believe anything they read, the printed page can be a valuable resource or a dangerous weapon.

Today, the press dictates what people believe as the truth. The mass media continue to influence the political, economic and social aspects of people’s lives. While each country faces its own unique obstacles that hinder truth in communication, in others, moves are being made to address deficiencies within media systems.

Debates from the “Arab and World Media Conference” held in Dubai, UAE, last December 5-6, 2005 showed how the Arab media are addressing their shortcomings.

In a region plagued with issues of terrorism and extremism, the two-day event organised by the Arab Thought Foundation (ATF) aimed at bridging the gap between the Arab world and the West by holding free and open discussions among international media representatives.

The conference brought together top journalists and media executives the world over to discuss changes in the Arab world, build relationships, validate assumptions, and make sure they are “Getting it Right.”

“While there is a growing realisation that in today's borderless, global village, the media has the power to shape culture, politics and society," the conference declared, "it can also be a dangerous weapon, no less (powerful) than the weapons of war if they are misused."

The reality of reporting in an Arab world

InterPress News Agency reporter Meena Janardhan in her coverage of the World Media Conference
wrote about problems Arab media face: concealing news for political interest or corruption, self-censorship, shallow presentation and excessive praise and loss of identity.

With foreign media bodies’ increasing entry, local media have to refashion themselves to meet global demands, copying the prevailing global media format or standard of reporting. Criticisms have been raised about local media outlets “aping ‘foreign’ reporting.”

Selective reporting and self-censorship on the other hand, were not considered a matter of state control, but rather of journalists’ protection of their own interests.

Janardhan quoted Hassan Fattah, a ‘New York Times’ Middle East correspondent as saying:
"Reporters know if you write a certain thing your access will be denied. Nothing is blocked out by the government censor but your long-term access is blocked. To me, that's far more dangerous."

Janardhan also cited a call during the conference to steer away from “synthetic” media reporting, where journalists conceal news which could lead to adverse political decisions.

Al.bab.com, a site which introduces non-Arabs to the Arabs and their culture, said that most Arab print media are government-owned, published by political organisations, or privately owned by wealthy individuals who usually have political aspirations. “With a few exceptions, Arab journalism tends to be uninspired and follows tired conventions,” the report says, a result of direct censorship and/or licensing systems and restrictive press laws.

Getting it right and moving forward

Janardhan reported that Arab media is relatively young and in need of more professionals. Perhaps with new blood, there is hope for the future. Addressing privatisation could also be of help in the largely state-owned Arab media. Dawood Al-Shirian of Dubai TV whom Janardhan cited said, "there is no option for the media in the region but to become free and test its boundaries."

The conference participants remain hopeful that the stereotype of the Arab world in the West can be changed. However change has to come from within. “It has to be effected by ourselves," they said, by addressing “development, the role of religion, social and political issues and globalisation.”

Critical self-analysis and debates constitute the first steps in the remaking of media as weapons to vital tools for regional development.

Sources:

Janardhan, Meena S. December 19, 2006. “UAE: Arab Media Asks Tough Questions - of Itself.” Downloaded from <http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=31479>.

Whitaker, Brian. January 10, 2006. “Arab Media: An Introduction.” Downloaded from <http://www.al-bab.com/media/>.

“Arab Thought Foundation: 4th Annual Conference.” Downloaded from <http://arabandworldmedia.org/>.