Setting the Arab News Agenda: Who, how and with what consequences?

Conference organised by LMEI at SOAS 12th May 2008, and supported by the MBI Al Jaber Foundation.

Media in the Arab world are now thought to be of great significance for politics, as attested to by the efforts of numerous actors to impact the news agenda. Governments, both regional and extra-regional, political parties and organisations, and influential commercial interests vie with one another through the Arab media to impact audiences. Editors, producers, journalists and other media professionals are not just tools in the hands of those who own or control media outlets, but themselves contribute to the shaping and implementation of news agendas. The Arab media, in sum, is increasingly an arena of contestation between various governmental and non-governmental forces. Surprisingly, remarkably little effort has been made to identify these actors, their methods and the outcomes of contestation between them.  

The purposes of this one-day conference are to seek some preliminary answers to the questions of who sets the Arab news agenda, how they do it, and what consequences this media has, especially on Arab politics. In one day no definitive answers can be provided. What will be offered are selective case studies through which broader issues and trends can be illustrated. Every effort will be made to ensure that different interests and viewpoints are represented on panels. The panels themselves will combine presentations of information and analysis relevant to the topic, as well as interactive debate. Participants will include media professionals and analysts, as well as representatives of interests engaged directly with the Arab media.

9.00am-4.30pm, Monday 12th May
Khalili Lecture Theatre, SOAS
Admission Free – All Welcome

Pre-registration Required: Louise Hosking Tel. 020 7898 4330; E-mail: lh2@soas.ac.uk