INFORMATION TO USERS The most advanced technology has been used to photograph and reproduce this manuscript from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type of computer printer. The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedthrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Oversize materials (e.g., maps, drawings, charts) are reproduced by sectioning the original, beginning at the upper left-hand corner and continuing from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. Each original is also photographed in one exposure and is included in reduced form at the back of the book. Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduced xerographically in this copy. Higher quality 6" x 9" black and white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. University Microfilms International A Bell & Howell Information Company 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 USA 313/761-4700 800-521-0600 Order Number 9111670 The role of ARAB SAT in television program exchange in the Arab world AlSaadon, Hezab T., Ph.D. The Ohio State University, 1990 Copyright ©1990 by AlSaadon, Hezab T. All rights reserved. UMI 300 N. Zeeb Rd. Ann Aibor, MI 48106 THE ROLE OF ARABSAT IN TELEVISION PROGRAM EXCHANGE IN THE ARAB WORLD DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Hezab T. Al-Saadon, B.A. (Hon), M.A. ***** The Ohio State University 1990 Dissertation Committee: Approved by Thomas McCain LU&- Joseph Foley Department of Communication Rohan Samarajiva Copyright by Hezab T. Al-Saadon 1990 To Abdulrahman T. Al-Saadoun for his principles ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This project would never have been completed had it not been for the encouragement and assistance I received from many people. Special gratitude goes to my advisor, Professor Thomas McCain, who contributed a great deal to the shaping of this study, from the time it was an idea until its final completion. Professor McCain's valuable suggestions helped in polishing my argument and conceptu­ alization of the subject, and I express my deep apprecia­ tion and gratitude. Special thanks also go to my commit­ tee members, Professor Joseph Foley and Professor Rohan Samarajiva, for their great help in the early stages of formulating my dissertation, as well as their interest in the development of my work throughout the last three years. I am also indebted to Professor Waleed Al-Muhnna for his valuable comments and suggestions. I am thankful to all the people and institutions who provided the materials used in this study. Special thanks go to Dalila Mahfoudh, from the Arab States Broadcasting Union, for her invalu­ able assistance. King Saud University provided unlimited 111 moral and financial support during my study in the U.S.A. I am thankful for this great institution. I am indebted to my wife, Mariam Al-Saadoun. Her contribution to the completion of this study goes beyond what I can possibly express here. Special thanks go to my children, Rabi, Abdulrahman, Almuthna, Uounis, and Abdallah, for their love and patience during my work in this study. My family expressed great support and love while I was away from home. Finally, my thanks go to Linda Caine for her excel­ lent job in typing the dissertation. iv VITA August 1956 ............... Born - A1 Jouf, Saudi Arabia. 1978 .................... Bachelor of Arts, Mass Communication - Excellence with Honor Class King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 1978 - 1979 ...............Teaching Assistant, Department of Mass Communication, King Saud University, Riyadh Saudi Arabia 1978 - 1980 ............... Editor, Riyadh Newspaper Riyadh Saudi Arabia 1983... .................... Master of Arts, Telecommunication, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan FIELDS OF STUDY Major Field: Communication Concentration of study: Mass Media/Telecommunication Information Technology Cultural Studies v TABLE OF CONTENTS DEDICATION ........................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ................................ iii VITA ......................................................... V LIST OF TABLES ...................................... X CHAPTER PAGE I. INTRODUCTION .................................. 1 Global Television Program Flow ............... 2 Satellite Technology as a New Factor in the Flow I s s u e ............................... 6 What Constitutes the Television Program Flow . 10 Importance of the Study ..................... 14 Statement of the P r o b l e m .................. 18 Purpose of the S t u d y .............. 20 Theoretical Framework ...............'......... 20 Methodology and Data Collection............ 25 II. MEDIA COOPERATION ENVIRONMENT IN THE ARAB WORLD 28 Introduction .................................. 28 State Formation in the Arab W o r l d .......... 28 States' Policies Versus Arab Nationalism .. 32 Arab Ethnic Groups and Religious Minorities . 36 The Structure of Economic Diversity ........... 39 Economic Cooperation .......................... 42 T u n i s i a ...................................... 46 Secular vs. Traditionalist ................. 49 Cooperation Orientation ................... 51 Mass Media Policy Implication ............. 53 A l g e r i a ...................................... 59 The Emergence of National Entity ........... 62 Political Legitimacy and National Identity . 64 Cooperation Orientation ................... 67 Saudi Arabia ............................... 84 Demographic and Social Fabrics ............. 93 State Versus Arab Nationalism ............. 99 Economic Cooperation ....................... 103 Mass Media Policy Implication ............. 105 Mass Media Cooperation Orientation ........ 119 III. PAST AND PRESENT MEDIA COOPERATION EFFORTS 127 Introduction .......... 127 Media Cooperation................................ 127 ASBU Establishment .............................. 129 News Exchange ...................................130 Television Program Exchange ................... 135 ARABSAT Structure .............................. 141 ARABSAT Objectives .......................... 142 The Organizational Structure of ARABSAT . 147 ARABSAT Services ............................ 149 ARABSAT Accomplishment ..................... 151 The Investment in A R A B S A T ....................154 Collective Approach ....................... 154 IV. NEWS AND TELEVISION PROGRAMS EXCHANGE VIA ARABSAT .................................. 158 Introduction .................................. 158 Data Collection and Analysis ....................159 Population.....................................160 Content Analysis ............................ 161 Institutional Arrangement ................. 162 The Exchange During the Free Experimental P e r i o d ......................................... 163 Program Reception During the Free Exchange . 168 Programs Exchange Involving Expense .... 172 Countries Receiving Television Programs . 179 Reception of Programs ..................... 183 The Arab Center for News and Programs Exchange 186 Contribution of Arab Countries to the E x c h a n g e ....................................... 188 Television Program Reception ............... 196 Television Program Types ..................... 206 Information Programs ....................... 206 Variety Programs ............................ 210 Cultural Programs .......................... 213 News Programs ................... 215 Sports Programs ............................ 219 S u m m a r y ........................................... 219 Three Phases of Programs Exchange ........ 221 Television Program Types ................... 227 vii V. CONCLUSION/ IMPLICATIONS, AND FURTHER RESEARCH . 23 3 S u m m a r y .................................. 233 Arab States' Internal Dynamics ............. 234 Inter-Arab Relations' Dynamics ............. 237 Pattern of Exchange .......................... 244 ARABSAT's Role in Program Exchange ........... 245 ARABSAT Underutilization ..................... 246 Limitations....................................... 251 Implications .................................. 252 Five Levels of Analysis ......................253 Future Research ................................ 257 APPENDICES A. Meetings of the Joint Arab Committee for the Utilization of A R A B S A T ................. 259 LIST OF REFERENCES ................................ 279 viii ix LIST OF TABLES TABLE PAGE 1. Shares of the Arab countries in ARABSAT capital 155 2. Television program types originated by Arab countries during the free exchange period (1-1-86 to 3 - 3 1 - 8 6 ) ..........................165 3. Television program types received by Arab countries during the free exchange period (1-1-86 to 3 - 3 1 - 8 6 ) ..........................170 4. Percentages of total news and television programs exchanged between Arab countries during the free exchange period (1-1-86 to 3-31-86) . 172 5. Television program types