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After the Arab Spring: an Analysis of the Future of Journalism in the Middle East

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After the Arab Spring: an Analysis of the Future of Journalism in the Middle East After the Arab Spring: An Analysis of the Future of Journalism in the Middle East. Alzowaimil, Majid A. Master 2016 After the Arab Spring: An Analysis of the Future of Journalism in the Middle East. Al Zowaimil, Majid A. A thesis submitted to Auckland University of Technology in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Communication Studies (MCS) 2016 Pacific Media Centre, School of Communication Studies Faculty of Design and Creative Technologies ii Abstract Journalism in the Middle East has long suffered from the effect of autocratic and corrupt political regimes, which see control of the media as being vital to their continued ability to exert power over their nations. However, following the so-called ‘Arab Spring’ uprisings, there has been a marked increase in the number of governments willing to give their press freedom to report, even to the point of criticising the actions of the current government. This has removed one of the most significant factors influencing the quality and objectivity of journalists in the Middle East. However, there are still other significant issues which remain, including the volatile political situation, the subtle influence of political parties or what is referred to as “deep state”, and the level of conflict which exists in the region as a whole. This thesis will examine the extent to which the Arab Spring and other recent developments in the Middle East have influenced journalism in the region. A qualitative approach was selected in order to provide a deeper level of analysis, and fuller conclusions about the direct and indirect influences of the Arab Spring on journalism. The analysis method used was a form of narrative content analysis, obtained through face-to- face interviews with eleven journalists from four Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries. External reports from international organisations such as Freedom House, Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), and The Freedom Online Coalition (FOC) were used to judge participants’ commentaries or evidences. Findings show that considerable challenges still remain even after the end of the Arab Spring events. It is clear that the Arab Spring altered the social climate of all of these nations in one way or another, however the positive impact this may have had on press freedom is inconsistent, when comparing all four nations. Political power fluctuations, deep state, absence of government, and civil institutions’ role have contributed to empowering or denying journalism and press freedom in Middle East since the end of the uprisings. Measuring shifts that have occurred in media, as a civil institution after a social revolution, will be a crucial factor on deciding whether such revolution has achieved its ultimate goals. iii Table of Contents ABSTRACT………………………………………………………………………………………….. III LIST OF TABLES ………………………………………………………………………………… VII LIST OF FIGURES ………………………………………………………………………………….. VIII ATTESTATION OF AUTHORSHIP ………………………………………………………….. IX ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ……………………………………………………………………….. X ETHICAL APPROVAL ……………………………………………………………………………. XI CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION …………………………………………………………… 2 Research Background ……………………………………………………………………… 2 1.1 Statement of The problem. ………………………………………………………….. 2 1.2 Purpose and Research Questions ………………………………………………… 6 1.3 Scope and Significance of The research. ………………………………………. 7 1.4 Thesis Structure …………………………………………………………………………. 8 1.5 Summary…………………………………………………………………………………….. 8 CHAPTER TWO: Journalism and Press Freedom………………………………………. 9 2.1 Journalism: Definition and Concepts……………………………………………… 9 Development Journalism………………………………………………………………. 13 Investigative Journalism……………………………………………………………….. 13 Utilitarian Journalism…………………………………………………………………… 14 Citizen Journalism………………………………………………………………………… 14 2.2 The role of Journalism. …………………………………………………………………. 16 2.3 Ethics and Standards of Journalism. ………………………………………………. 22 2.4 Constraints of Press Freedom. ……………………………………………………….. 25 2.5 Regulators. ……………………………………………………………………………………. 28 CHAPTER THREE: Literature Review: Press Freedom in The Middle East Before and 31 After Arab Spring. …………………………………………………………………... 3.1 Introduction. …………………………………………………………………………………. 31 iv 3.2 Brief Historical Background. ………………………………………………………….. 31 3.3 Press Role as Seen by Arab Journalists. …………………………………………... 35 3.4 Constraints on The press in Middle East: Governmental, Economic, Religious, Social Constraints. ………………………………………………………………….. 39 CHAPTER FOUR: Research Design. ……………………………………………………………... 46 4.1 Introduction. ………………………………………………………………………………………… 46 4.2 Qualitative Research. …………………………………………………………………………….. 47 4.2.1 Interviewing as a Data Gathering Method. …………………………………………. 48 4.2.2 Weaknesses and strengths of interviewing and semi-structured interviews 49 4.3 Interview Procedure. …………………………………………………………………………... 50 4.3.1 Interview Sample. ……………………………………………………………………………... 50 4.3.2 Interview Questions. ………………………………………………………………………… 51 4.3.3 Conducting The interviews. ………………………………………………………………. 51 4.3.4 Steps that Have Been Taken to Meet AUTEC Ethical Requirements. ……… 52 CHAPTER FIVE: Data Analysis and Findings …………………………………………………........ 53 5.1 Introduction. …………………………………………………………………………………………... 53 5.2 Journalism and Press Freedom In Egypt. ………………………………………………….. 55 5.2.1 Before The Arab Spring (1952 – 2011). ……………………………………………… 56 5.2.2 During the Revolution (25th Jan 2011 to 14th Feb 2011). …………………… 57 5.2.3 The Transition Period (14th of Feb 2011 to 30th of Jun 2013). ……………. 59 5.2.4 30th June 2013 till February 2014. ……………………………………………………… 62 5.3 Journalism and Press Freedom in Libya. ………………………………….. 65 5.3.1 Before The Arab Spring. ………………………………………………. 65 5.3.2 During Arab Spring uprisings. ………………………………………… 66 5.3.3 After Arab Spring uprisings. …………………………………………… 67 70 5.4 Journalism and Press Freedom in Tunisia. ………………………………… 71 5.4.1 Before Arab Spring. ………………………………………………….... 5.4.2 During Arab Spring Uprisings. ……………………………………….. 72 5.4.3 After Arab Spring Uprisings. ………………………………………….. 73 v 5.5 Journalism and Press Freedom in Yemen. ………………………………… 75 5.5.1 Before Arab Spring Uprisings. ……………………………………………………………… 75 5.5.2 During Arab Spring Uprisings. ……………………………………………………………… 76 5.5.3 After Arab Spring Uprisings. ………………………………………………………………… 77 Trend One: Transitionary periods , case study Egypt, self-censorship. ………………… 80 Trend Two: Tunisia, Why neutrality and Pluralism Works for Freedom of Speech… 84 Trend Three: Yemen and Libya: The absence of Government and Journalists’ Safety. 86 CHAPTER SIX: DISCUSSION 90 6.1 Introduction. …………………………………………………………………………………………… 90 6.2 Discussing Findings Related to The research First Question. ……………………… 91 6.3 Discussing Findings Related to The Research Second Question. ………………….. 92 6.4 Discussing Findings Related to The Research Third Question. …………………….. 93 6.5 Discussing Findings Related to The Research Fourth Question. …………………… 93 CHAPTER SEVEN: Conclusion. ……………………………………………………………………………… 95 7.1 Implications of The findings. ……………………………………………………………………… 95 7.2 Contribution of The research. …………………………………………………………………….. 96 7.3 Limitations of The study. ……………………………………………………………………………. 96 7.4 Potential Future Research. …………………………………………………………………………. 98 References. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 99 Appendix A: Ethical Approval. …………………………………………………………… 106 Appendix B: Participant Information Sheet. ……………………………………………… 107 Appendix C: Consent Form. ………………………………………………………………. 111 Appendix D: Interview Protocol. ………………………………………………………….. 112 vi List of Tables Table 1: Summary of respondents’ details ………………………………………… 53 Table 2: Comparison of four state periods in Egypt ( 1952 – 2013) ……………….. 83 Table 3: Arab Spring events and the media in Tunisia (before 2011 until 2013) ….. 86 Table 4: Arab Spring events and the media in Yemen (before 2011 until 2013) ….. 88 Table 5: Arab Spring events and the media in Libya (before 2011 until 2013) ….... 89 vii List of Figures Infograph1: A summary of major events occurred in the Arab Spring countries (2010-2016). …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 1 Infograph2: The most important events in Egypt (2011-2016). ………………… 55 Chart 1:Egyptian press freedom was one of the biggest declines in 2014……….... 64 Chart 2: Libyan press freedom was one of the biggest declines in 2014. ………… 69 Infograph3: The most important events in Tunisia (2010- 2014). ……………….. 70 viii Attestation of Authorship “I hereby declare that this submission is my own work and that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, it contains no material previously published or written by another person (except where explicitly defined in the acknowledgements), nor material which to a substantial extent has been submitted for the award of any other degree or diploma of a university of other institution of higher learning.” Signed: Date: 21 November 2016 ix Acknowledgements First and foremost, I am grateful to The Almighty Allah for providing me with all needed help and hope to complete this thesis. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my academic supervisor Professor David Robie, the director of the Pacific Media Centre and professor of journalism and media in Auckland University of Technology’s School of Communication Studies, for his guidance, support, and advice which made this thesis completed. I really appreciate giving me the honour to be under his supervision. I am grateful to him for supporting me all the way and assisting me to overcome all obstacles that I faced during the time of writing
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