"This volume provides a comparative analysis of media systems in the Arab world, based on criteria informed by the historical, political, social, and economic factors influencing a country's media. Reaching beyond classical western media system typologies, Arab Media Systems brings together contribu
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tions from experts in the field of media in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) to provide valuable insights into the heterogeneity of this region's media systems. It focuses on trends in government stances towards media, media ownership models, technological innovation, and the role of transnational mobility in shaping media structure and practices. Each chapter in the volume traces a specific country's media - from Lebanon to Morocco - and assesses its media system in terms of historical roots, political and legal frameworks, media economy and ownership patterns, technology and infrastructure, and social factors (including diversity and equality in gender, age, ethnicities, religions, and languages)." (Publisher description)
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"This Handbook provides the first comprehensive reference book in English about the development of mass and social media in all Arab countries. Capturing the historical as well as current developments in the media scene, this collection maps the role of media in social and political movements. Contr
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ibutors include specialists in the field from North America, Europe, and the Middle East. Each chapter provides an overview of the history, regulatory frameworks and laws governing the press, and socio-political functions of the media. While the geopolitical complexities of the region have been reflected in the expert analyses collectively, the focus is always the local context of each member state. All 37 chapters consider the specific historical, political and media trajectories in each country, to provide a contextual background and foundation for further study about single states or comparative analysis in two or more Arab states." (Publisher description)
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"Regarding professional role orientations, journalists in Oman found it most important to be detached observers, to advocate for social change, to support national development, to provide analysis of current affairs, to provide the kind of news that attracts the largest audience, to influence public
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opinion, to provide advice, orientation and direction for daily life, to report things as they are, and to let people express their views. About half of the respondents found it is important for journalists to monitor and scrutinize business, to provide entertainment and relaxation, and to provide information people need to make political decisions. On the other hand, less than half of the journalists asserted that journalists should support government policy, set the political agenda, motivate people to participate in political activity, convey a positive image of political leadership, monitor and scrutinize political leaders, and finally, be adversaries of the government." (Journalistic roles, pages 1-2)
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