Andrew Hammond looks at the structures of Saudi Arabia’s media influence and the formal and informal pressures it can bring to bear on media outlets to secure their desired coverage.
Read More »Dubai: An emerging Arab media hub
Dubai is fast becoming a global media hub – but for whom? Dana El-Baltaji examines Dubai’s business-friendly media model and its implications for the future of media in the Emirates.
Read More »Syria under the Spotlight: Television satire that is revolutionary in form, reformist in content
Marlin Dick traces the origins and behind the scenes drama of the Syrian sketch comedy program Spotlight. (Features Video)
Read More »Saudi Arabia’s Media Influence
Contributing Editor Paul Cochrane looks at the historical origins and current techniques of Saudi influence on the Arabic media landscape.
Read More »Syrian Ba’th party holds workshop on role media in
BBC Monitoring Text of report by Syrian newspaper Al-Ba'th website on 27 September [Report by Tafid Abu-al-Khayr in Damascus: "Workshop at Al-Ba'th House on the Role of Media in Enhancing the Culture of Resistance."] The Role of the Media in Enhancing the Culture of Resistance was the title of the …
Read More »Egypt rejects
BBC Monitoring Text of report in English by Egyptian news agency MENA New York, 26 September: The latest White House statement on press freedom and civil society in Egypt is an "unacceptable interference in Egypt's domestic affairs," an Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman said late Tuesday [25 September]. The US statement …
Read More »Egypt: Opposition Al-Wafd editor to appeal jail sentence for slander
BBC Monitoring Text of report by Muslim Brotherhood website Ikhwanonline on 25 September The Al-Duqqi criminal court [in Cairo] has issued a sentence imprisoning for two years the editor-in-chief of the newspaper Al-Wafd, Ali Anwar al-Huwwari, and two journalists at the newspaper after indictment on charges of slandering and insulting …
Read More »Official Iranian media wrong footed by head of Columbia University’s speech
BBC Monitoring In the days leading up to Ahmadinezhad's speech at Columbia University (delivered on 24 September), Iranian radio and TV made many references to Ahmadinezhad's planned appearance at the university, presenting it as a sign of great US public interest in Ahmadinezhad to the dismay of US officials. But, …
Read More »Iran: Baztab website office in Tehran closed
BBC Monitoring Text of report by Iranian Baztab website on 24 September Following seven months of extreme pressure from the government on the Judiciary, the office of the Baztab website in Tehran was finally sealed by officials from Tehran Prosecutor's Office on Wednesday afternoon [18 September]. According to this report, …
Read More »Closure of news website puts pressure on critics of Iranian government
BBC Monitoring By Saeed Barzin of BBC Monitoring on 24 September The Iranian government has shut down an internet news outlet known for its harsh criticism of President Mahmud Ahmadinezhad, and critics say the move will put pressure on the country's loyal opposition in the next parliamentary Majlis elections. "After …
Read More »