Broadcasting Change: Arabic Media as a Catalyst for Liberalism

by Joseph Braude

Overview

Following the Arab Spring, some Arab autocrats are seeking to promote reform. Looking at Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, and Algeria, the chapters describe the political situation, the major players, the trends in media activity, the (limited) role of the US in the political and media landscape, and the opportunities for action.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781538101285
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	11/30/2017
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	5.88(w) x 9.11(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Joseph Braude is a Senior Fellow at the Middle East Program of the Foreign Policy Research Institute, and a Senior Fellow at the Al-Mesbar Center for Studies and Research in Dubai.

Table of Contents

I. The Case for Arabic Liberal Media 1. From Cairo to Palermo: How Culture Drives Change 2. Why and How to Engage Authoritarian Media  3. The Crown and the Beret: Two Arab Political Narratives and Their Future 4. Scorpions in the Infosphere: The Danger of Sectarian Broadcasting II. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 5. Overcoming a Troubled Legacy 6. A New Strand in the Royal Story 7. The UAE as a Saudi Liberal Beachhead III. The Republic of Egypt 8. Despair along the Nile 9. Ghost in the Machine: Egyptian State Broadcasting in the Shadow of Nasser 10. Negotiating with the Single Voice 11. The TV War against Al-Azhar 12. The Eleventh Plague: Egyptian anti-Semitism and Its Remedies on Stage and Screen IV. The Role of International Support 13. Pilgrims to the Infosphere: The Story of Foreign Broadcasting in Arabic 14. Conclusion: Arab Liberals in Search of Partners

Editorial Reviews

As Broadcasting Change makes clear, a hearty group of Arab liberals are determined — notwithstanding the odds and media traditions in the Arab world — to promote a future grounded in values of tolerance, co-existence, respect for the “other," and good governance. In this important and original book, Joseph Braude does not minimize the obstacles, but he emphasizes that liberal democracies have a stake in the success of this mission, concluding with some thoughtful recommendations on policy. Policy-makers should read Broadcasting Change, but so should anyone who cares about and yearns for a different and more hopeful future in the Middle East.

Dennis Ross

In the Middle East, where literacy rates are low and public awareness is minimal, the influence of television and social media can be a life-and-death matter. As Joseph Braude argues in this groundbreaking book, media can play a crucial role in countering extremism, challenging entrenched ideas, and bridging distances. Braude’s expertise in the Arabic language and his history of deep involvement in the Arab world make him ideally suited to investigate both the problems and the promise of this field. This valuable book should be studied by anyone with an interest in the region.

Abdulrahman Al-Rashed