LMEI Conference: The Arab Media Today: new audiences and new technologies
The MBI Al Jaber Foundation jointly with the US Embassy Media Outreach Centre sponsored the one-day Arab Media Today conference held on the 16th of March 2009 at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London.
The conference, which was organised by the London Middle East Institute, provided insight into today’s media scene in the Arabic-speaking world. It investigated and highlighted how the new technological advances have re-defined the media across the region by edging away from the government-controlled traditional media outlets into the satellite TV channels and internet-based media.
The speakers and panellists participating in the conference, including academics, journalists, media professionals, bloggers and other Arab media watchers, presented in-depth discussions and analyses on understanding the Arabic speaking audience, the old and the new media impacts and the political blogging across the region.
A full session was dedicated to discuss the emerging Arab blogosphere. Six bloggers from Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Bahrain, Lebanon and Syria talked about their experiences with blogging. They shared with the audience their successful stories on raising the bar by tackling political, religious and social issues and ideas not delivered by traditional media outlets: but it was apparent that they still have to find ways around government censorship and to protect their personal safety.
The conference was concluded by a dinner for participants, giving them an opportunity to reflect on the day and exchange views.
Naomi Sakr of the Arab Media Centre, University of Wesminster, introduces the speakers.
Jihad Fakhreddine from Gallup discusses media audience research in the Arab world.
From left to right; Mariam Abu-Adas, Jihad Fakhreddine, Dina Matar and Imad Karam respond to questions from the audience.
Photos by Fiona Wholey, SOAS
