".......The report also highlights that the participation of women in the Arab media is quite disproportionate, and adds that historically, the Arab media has been a male bastion.

While the participation of women in media studies programmes was a good 70 per cent in Tunisia and over 50 per cent in Egypt, the report cites their participation in the media workforce was typically low......."

 

Call to Revise Outdated Arab Media Legislations

26 April 2007

DUBAI — The Arab region’s public bodies continue to play a large role in overseeing and controlling media channels as well as setting the parameters for their reporting, says the Arab Media Outlook 2007-2011 Report, which was officially unveiled yesterday.

The report, which was released on the second day of the two-day Arab Media Forum, clearly states that governments in many countries also control information dissemination through ownership of media organisations or by giving them subsidies.

The report says that many of the laws related to the media and Press are outdated. Some of these laws have not been revised in the last 20-30 years and desperately need updating to include the current trends and features of the industry, the report says.

“Updated laws that reflect changing technologies and public opinion are required throughout the Arab region for all media types, including online newspapers, blogs, satellite TV and user-generated content,” the report points out.

It also stresses on the need for laws defining the rights and responsibilities of journalists and media organisations. The report advocates market liberalisation and a reduction of legislative barriers surrounding the launch of new newspapers or TV stations.

The report also highlights that the participation of women in the Arab media is quite disproportionate, and adds that historically, the Arab media has been a male bastion.

While the participation of women in media studies programmes was a good 70 per cent in Tunisia and over 50 per cent in Egypt, the report cites their participation in the media workforce was typically low.

The Arab Media Outlook report is believed to be one of the most extensive studies undertaken of the opinions and perceptions of Arab media professionals, spanning more than six countries, including the UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Lebanon, Egypt and Morocco.

The inaugural report, a collaborative effort between the Dubai Press Club and PricewaterhouseCoopers, examines the strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats to news and media organisations across the region, while scrutinising the Arab media closely. It also touches on key trends, developments and issues affecting the media in this region.