Global Journalist Show
Checking the pulse of Middle Eastern journalism after the Arab SpringPosted Jun 30 2011
The Middle East and North Africa continued to show the lowest regional ratings, with no countries or territories rated Free in 2008, 4 (21 percent) rated Partly Free, and 15 (79 percent) rated Not Free. In contrast to the positive changes in 2007, the average regionwide score fell slightly this year, with negative movement noted especially in the political and economic categories. Graphic courtesy of Freedom House
When civil unrest and uprisings throughout the Middle East caught the world's attention earlier this year, it was believed that the shifts in power would mark a new era of democracy, transparency and freedom of the press. But so far, has that been the case, or have old customs of repression and censorship simply mutated to fit the new political order? How much freedom do journalists have, now that international attention has moved on?
On this week on Global Journalist Radio, we check in with the region to see what progress has been made toward press freedom in those countries, what challenges still lie ahead and what lessons can be learned for the future.
Our guests include:
Sharif Abdel Kouddous is an independent journalist based in Cairo. He is a correspondent for the TV/radio program Democracy Now and writes frequently for The Nation magazine.
Dr. Ralph D. Berenger associate professor of mass communication at the American University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. Dr. Berenger is the editor of the Global Media Journal — Arabian Edition and has authored four books , including two edited volumes on media behavior in times of crises. His fifth book, due out early next year, examines social media’s impact on political movements in the Middle East and elsewhere.
Sherif Azer, Assistant Secretary General at the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights and Arabic Information Coordinator for the International Federation of Expression Exchange. Sherif Azer has a BA in political science and a Master's in international human rights law, both from the American University of Cairo. He is a staunch advocate for human rights, the rule of law and freedom of expression.
The issues they address in this week’s show and in their individual work include:
- The Egyptian military’s recent crackdown on critics , including the imprisonment of a political blogger .
- Signs of a new, vibrant media landscape in Egypt , despite setbacks.
- Whether the media can rightly label Egypt’s political shift “revolution”
- The results of a recent IFEX delegation to Tunisia, which found that scars of oppression run deeply in the country's media.
- Press freedom in a regional context .
You can listen to this program tonight Thursday, June 30, 2011 on KBIA live at 6:30 p.m. CST, or you can download the podcast .