Saudi Women and the Challenge of Work in the TV Industry
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Saudi Women and the Challenge of Work in the TV Industry Author Alkameis, Shakha Published 2015 Thesis Type Thesis (PhD Doctorate) School School of Humanities DOI https://doi.org/10.25904/1912/894 Copyright Statement The author owns the copyright in this thesis, unless stated otherwise. Downloaded from http://hdl.handle.net/10072/366842 Griffith Research Online https://research-repository.griffith.edu.au Saudi women and the challenge of work in the TV industry Shakha Alkameis B Ed, M Ed School of Humanities Arts, Education & Law Griffith University Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy July 2014 I Abstract Saudi TV channels have opened their doors for Saudi women to work in the industry. However, most women refuse to utilize this opportunity, for a variety of reasons, including education and training. A number of obstacles have prevented Saudi women from working in television, and even appearing on the TV screens as newsreaders or program presenters. For this reason, it is important to ascertain the nature of the obstacles that prevent the women from working on either government or private television channels. Therefore, the current study sought to identify and examine the obstacles that prevent Saudi women from joining the TV industry workforce. The study combined mixed methods, qualitative and quantitative, to enhance the validity of the research results and to gain a better understanding of the situation. The study found that the most influential factor on women's studies in the field of TV media was the lack of female education and training programs. The study revealed that this absence had been shaped by the Saudi social culture. The universities were unable to teach TV media subjects without obtaining the approval of the society. This situation was also the result of the Saudi social culture, which has yet to acquire the social and cultural dimensions that are the essential values needed to support women's endeavors for independent identity. In the study, the participants came from three Saudi regions: the Eastern, Central, and Western regions. Each region was shown to have a unique cultural influence on the participants. The Western region's inhabitants were less affected by social cultural factors than the inhabitants in the other two regions. Importantly, the Western region supported the idea of women's TV work, accepting female announcers and program editors in both the private and government satellite TV channels. Despite such acceptance, there are still only a few women employed in the Western region TV industry. II In all regions, the study found that the TV channels’ policies, whether state or privately owned, were another important factor limiting Saudi women employment in the TV industry. The questionnaire findings showed that the TV channels did not encourage Saudi women to work for them due, in the main, to the channel’s lack of an appropriate workplace environment. The women, therefore, needed an environment that would meet the cultural requirements of gender segregation at work. In addition, the channels expected the women to appear on the TV screens; this was a difficult demand as, without their agreeing to this demand, they would have no chance of employment. Hence, few Saudi women have taken up employment, with the channels, instead, showing a preference for employing foreign Arab female staff who work at lower levels of pay, and who agree to appear on screen. Unexpectedly, the study’s results showed that the religious factor was the least influential, as the factor had little effect on discouraging Saudi women from working in the TV industry. This outcome seems unanticipated, especially as religion is an essential element in the Saudi culture, and it affects people's daily lives. However, it appears that it is not an essential barrier against women joining the TV industry. III Declaration This work has not previously been submitted for a degree or diploma in any university. To the best of my knowledge and belief, the thesis contains no material previously published or written by another person except where due reference is made in the thesis itself. Signature Date: 28-7-2014 IV Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction 1.1 Introduction .......................................................................................... 1 1.2 Research rationale .................................................................................1 1.3 Research questions .............................................................................. 2 1.4 Purpose of the study.............................................................................. 3 1.5 Significance of the study....................................................................... 3 1.6 Key terms............................................................................................. 4 1.7 Organisation of the study.................................................................... 5 Chapter 2: Literature review 2.1 Introduction .......................................................................................... 6 2.2 Women in Saudi Arabia: background................................................... 6 2.3 Saudi women’s education..................................................................... 8 2.4 Saudi women’s work opportunities .................................................. 13 2.5 TV in Saudi Arabia............................................................................. 24 2.6 Cultural impact................................................................................... 36 2.7 Chapter summary .............................................................................. 45 Chapter 3: Theoretical Framework 3.1 Introduction ....................................................................................... 50 3.2 Theoretical framework....................................................................... 50 3.3 Factors affecting Saudi women’s employment in the TV industry ... 52 3.4 Chapter summary .............................................................................. 56 Chapter 4: Research Methodology 4.1 Introduction ........................................................................................ 57 4.2 Research design ................................................................................. 57 4.3 Pilot study ......................................................................................... 65 4.4 Sampling ............................................................................................ 66 4.5 Data collection .................................................................................. 68 4.6 Data analysis ...................................................................................... 68 V 4.7 Ethical Issues ..................................................................................... 69 4.8 Chapter summary .............................................................................. 69 Chapter 5: Results 5.1 The questionnaire ............................................................................... 70 5.1.1 Validity & Reliability ......................................................................70 5.1.2 Demography of the study sample.................................................... 72 5.1.3 Survey questions.............................................................................. 78 Chapter 6: Discussion (Part I) (Quantitative data) 6.1 Introduction .......................................................................................110 6.2 Multiple-Choice Questions ...............................................................111 6.3 Research’s hypothetical statements.................................................. 128 6.4 Likert Scale questions .......................................................................134 6.5 Differences between the sample groups............................................144 6.6 Conclusion ........................................................................................148 Chapter 7: Discussion (Part II) (Qualitative data) 7.1 The cultural factor .............................................................................152 7.2 Education policies ............................................................................ 156 7.3 Satellite TV channel policies ............................................................160 7.4 Saudi women's preferences in media work opportunities .................164 7.5 The religion factor .............................................................................166 Chapter 8: Conclusions and Recommendations 8.1 Introduction ......................................................................................169 8.2 Research outcomes ...........................................................................170 8.3 Research limitations ..........................................................................172 8.4 Recommendations ............................................................................173 VI References ........................................................................................................ 175 Data Questions (Interview & Survey)............................................................ 186 Ethical Clearance .............................................................................................195 VII List of figures Figure 1 Theoretical framework illustrating factors affecting Saudi women’s working on TV industry ......................................................................................51