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Does journalism really matter in the Arab world?

It seems to me like the constraints put on journalists by governments, society, etc. means that journalists are "reporters" and really journalists.

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Question added by Roba Al-Assi , Brand and Communications Director , Bayt.com
Date Posted: 2013/04/17
Deleted user
by Deleted user

Journalism matters everywhere in the world, as it informs and educates people, but in the Arab world it doesn't play its pivotal role perfectly, so my answers is; good journalism really matters in the Arab world, current type of journalism in the Arab world doesn't.

Deleted user
by Deleted user

Thank you for inviting me to answer this question Reem, this is my take: The Arab world is highly sensitive in terms of religion and culture and not to forget, it's home to some of the last few Monarchies remaining in the world.
This means that freedom of speech and expression, although not practiced 100% anywhere in the world, is relatively quite low here as compared to other countries.
I agree with you about the jobs reduced to that of a 'reporter' but in my personal opinion, I wouldn't completely discard the role and impact of journalism in this volatile part of the world.
As a journalist in the Arab world I guess you have to overlook that you're a 'medium' and always take into consideration the background of the masses you are reporting for.
Press and Media as the 'fourth estate' is a Western concept and not applicable in the Arab world.
I think its an evolving industry and the coming few years will see legit reforms in media's functioning here, this is also because citizen journalism has soared by leaps and bounds during the 'Arab Spring'.
The truth will reach the people even if it is suppressed by the state or the media organisations.

Ban Barkawi
by Ban Barkawi , Multimedia Journalist & Radio Presenter , Radio Bliss Jordan

Journalism ESPECIALLY matters in the Arab world and especially now.
Technology, combined with events in the region over the past few years have lifted the blanket of opression that had kept journalists in the Arab world silent - or worse, functioning as a government mouthpiece.
Of course by the same token, journalists with an agenda now also have the platform to fabricate as much as they like.
Which is exactly why thorough, thoughtful journalism is so important.
It has a duty to puth through the constraints and balance what its audience expects with what it ought to know.

mateen bhatti
by mateen bhatti , COmputer programmer , JANG GROUP OF NEWSPAPERS

yip it matters every human want to be updated

Patrick Steyn
by Patrick Steyn , Senior Printer , Paarl Media / Media 24

It’s always been a good thing to keep up to date with the current affairs, the question you asked may lean to the culture of the Arab world, and the culture of the press,

News is news and everyone enjoys it, just take gossip from your neighbour, might have informed you of his encounter at the post office how the staff handled the situation, how he felt bla, bla bla.

The Arab world enjoys news just as much as any other culture it may just need to be adapted to the specific needs within its culture.

in South Africa there is a very successful newspaper, called the daily sun, printing over600000 per day, and to my opinion, its tells the stories as African people tell each other stories, and this includes, culture beliefs, standards of communication but also has a little for all ages every page is a page turner. Keeping the line between conservative guidelines of media but leaning far to one side of the country’s cultural needs, something they understand and enjoy.

To simplify this opinion press must be diverse and keep in touch with who they are interacting with, there are many different cultures in the world and they all consist of human beings.

To end; in newspapers I have noticed that bad news always occupying front pages always sells more newspapers(more profit) this shows man kinds failures, and if you flip the paper around you will see all mankind’s achievements, in the sport section.

Maybe to the Arab world this approach of lay out may be changed.

Thank-you

 

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