Pan-Arab Satellite Television Phenomenon: a Catalyst of Democratisation and Socio- Political Change
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
1 Queensland University of Technology Pan-Arab Satellite Television Phenomenon: A Catalyst of Democratisation and Socio- Political Change Aljazeera Case Study By Ali Abusalem A Thesis Submitted In Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy The Creative Industries Faculty Queensland University of Technology September, 2007 2 3 Queensland University of Technology Candidate’s Certificate I, Ali Abusalem, declare that this dissertation, submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Doctor of Philosophy in Media and Communication, Queensland University of Technology, is wholly my own work unless otherwise referenced or acknowledged. The document has not been submitted for qualifications at any other academic institution. Signed: Name Ali Abusalem Date September 2007 Copyright © by Ali Abusalem, 2007 All Rights Reserved. 4 5 Table of Contents List of Tables ...................................................................... 8 List of Figures ................................................................... 10 Abstract ............................................................................. 15 Acknowledgements ........................................................... 19 Definitions used in this research ....................................... 21 Preface: Why Pan-Arab Satellite Television? 25 Chapter One: Introduction 31 Background to the research ............................................... 31 Identification of the problem: television as a catalyst of democratisation................................................ 37 Framing democracy........................................................... 39 Focus of the study ............................................................. 40 Research hypothesis and questions ................................... 41 Justification of this research .............................................. 43 Aljazeera the pan-Arab satellite television service ........... 47 Research methodology ...................................................... 49 Limitations of scope and assumptions .............................. 51 Logistics ............................................................................ 52 Outline of this research ..................................................... 52 Conclusion ........................................................................ 55 Chapter Two: The Research Model 57 Overview ........................................................................... 57 Theoretical Framework ..................................................... 59 The model ......................................................................... 62 Utilisation of the model .................................................... 64 Relationship between variables in the research model ................................................................................. 64 Model Rationale and Implications ........................................ 68 Limitations of the research model ..................................... 73 Chapter Three Literature Review 75 Overview ........................................................................... 75 State-controlled Media in the Arab World: A Chronological Account ..................................................... 77 Media, Democracy and Informed Citizens ....................... 80 Aljazeera as a public political party ...................................... 90 The Birth of Aljazeera and Free Arab Media ................... 91 Aljazeera: Philosophy and policy ......................................... 92 A Brief History of Aljazeera ............................................. 96 Reporting Priorities ............................................................... 97 The Arab Public Sphere ........................................................ 98 Aljazeera and the competition......................................... 103 Pan-Arab Satellite Television Phenomenon: A Catalyst of Democratisation and Socio-political Change 6 Aljazeera, state-controlled versus free media ................. 105 Aljazeera and the Arab world ......................................... 110 The Role of the Media in Democracy ............................. 114 Media and Cultural change ............................................. 115 Controversial programs ....................................................... 120 Interactive Vox Populi ........................................................ 122 Infotainment programs ........................................................ 122 Religious programs ............................................................. 123 Conclusion ...................................................................... 124 Chapter Four: Reporting the Middle East 127 Overview ......................................................................... 127 Self-reporting the Middle East ........................................ 128 Concluding Remarks ........................................................... 141 Aljazeera turning the tables: a comparison with western media ................................................................. 142 Back home ...................................................................... 146 Conclusion ...................................................................... 148 Chapter Five: Methodology 149 Introduction ..................................................................... 149 Theoretical Paradigm ...................................................... 149 Quantitative Research Methodology .............................. 154 Survey method ................................................................ 155 Research Design .............................................................. 157 Instrument design and administration ................................. 159 Domain of Constructs ......................................................... 160 Type of the Survey method ................................................. 164 Question development ........................................................ 167 Measurement scale .............................................................. 169 Pilot testing ......................................................................... 170 Last stage of the pilot study ................................................ 173 Ethical Consideration ...................................................... 183 Conclusion ...................................................................... 184 Chapter Six: Data Analysis 185 Analysis of Survey Data ................................................. 185 Introduction ......................................................................... 185 Aljazeera Survey Report ................................................. 197 Introduction ..................................................................... 197 Method ............................................................................ 199 The Survey Groups ............................................................. 199 Analyses Overview ............................................................. 202 The Respondents ............................................................. 205 Australian Media Habits ................................................. 213 Reliability of the Survey ................................................. 215 Analysis ........................................................................... 215 Differences between Groups and Gender ........................... 215 Part B – General Perceptions .............................................. 216 Part D – News Coverage ................................................. 222 Pan-Arab Satellite Television Phenomenon: A Catalyst of Democratisation and Socio-political Change 7 Part E – Talk Show Programs ......................................... 227 Part F – Editorial Policy .................................................. 231 Part G – Gender and Human Rights ............................... 235 Part H – Attitudes and Perceptions ................................. 239 Part I – Aljazeera Live Programmes ............................... 249 Relationships between Items ........................................... 263 Arab Viewers ..................................................................... 266 Discussion ....................................................................... 269 Arab and Australian viewers and media professionals ................................................................... 269 Male and Female Respondents ....................................... 281 General Relationships ..................................................... 284 Conclusion ...................................................................... 285 Chapter Seven: Summary and Conclusions 287 Summary ......................................................................... 287 Perception of democracy ..................................................... 288 Research hypotheses ........................................................... 290 Research issues conclusions ........................................... 293 What does it all mean? .................................................... 301 Overall Implications ........................................................ 312 Conclusion ...................................................................... 314 Recommendation ............................................................ 317 Epilogue: Reflections on Arab Media Objectivity .......... 318 References 321 Appendixes 383 Appendix A: Pan-Arab Satellite Television Phenomenon \ SURVEY