The Handbook of Media and Culture in the Middle East (Global Handbooks in Media and Communication Research)

The Handbook of Media and Culture in the Middle East The Handbook of Media and Culture in the Middle East is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to understand the profound and complex changes shaping the 21st century. With trans-regional contributions from established and emerging scholars, this ground-breaking volume offers conceptual essays and in-depth chapters that present rich analyses grounded in historical and geopolitical contexts, as well as key theory and empirical research. Rather than viewing the Middle East as a monolithic culture, this Handbook examines the diverse and multi-local characteristics of the region’s knowledge production, dynamic media, and rich cultures. It addresses a wide range of topics, including the evolving mainstream and alternative media, competing histories in the region, and pressing socio-economic and media debates. Additionally, the Handbook explores the impact of regional and international politics on Middle Eastern cultures and media. Designed to serve as a foundation for the next era of research in the field, The Handbook of Media and Culture in the Middle East is essential reading for all academics, scholars, and media practitioners. Its comprehensive scope makes it an excellent primary or supplementary textbook for undergraduate or graduate courses in global studies, media and communication, journalism, anthropology, sociology, economics, political science, and history. Cover Title Page Copyright Page Contents Notes on Contributors Series Editors’ Preface Acknowledgments Media and Culture in the Middle East: An Introduction Part I Theories, Ideologies, and Problematics Chapter 1 Orientalism and Culture Beyond Orientalism? References Chapter 2 Muslims, Art, and Invisible Modernities Muslim Blur, Fugitivity, and Mounir Fatmi’s Art References Chapter 3 Development and Modernization in the Middle East Development in the Middle East Modernization in Middle East Development Programs References Chapter 4 Hybridity as Dazzlement: Rethinking Fusion Through Joseph Tonda’s Postcolonial Imperialism Tonda’s Critique of Hybridity Tonda’s Theory of the Image South-to-South Hybridities? References Chapter 5 “Arab” Cultural Studies: Phenomenology Being Digital, and Other Notes Media as Equipment and Being Digital Cultural Studies: Towards Double-Thrownness as Method Conclusion References Part II Politics, Gender, Minorities, and Class Chapter 6 Intellectuals, Modernities, and the Emerging Public Sphere Introduction Debating Intellectuals and Commitment Intellectuals Encounter with Modernities Intellectuals and the Emerging Public Sphere References Chapter 7 Feminisms and Feminist Movements in the Middle East The Rise of Feminist Movements Organizing, Issues, and Tactics References Chapter 8 The State, the Media, and the Revival of Labor Activism in the Middle East References Chapter 9 The Meaning and Purpose of “Minority Media” in the Middle East and North Africa Introduction Does Minority Media Exist? The Tasks of an Alternative Media Space Minority Media/Global Media Conclusion References Part III Media Industries, Markets, and Technologies Chapter 10 Media Policy in the MENA: The Political Impact of Media Confluence Introduction Until 2000: Regulation of Transnational Media in a System in the Making The Digital Turning Point and Media Confluence Modes of Regulation of Expression Ad Hoc Laws and Regulatory Bodies The Moral Responsibility of the Media to Their Country: Building a Narrative Conclusion References Chapter 11 Journalism in MENA: Triumph and Tragedy in the Struggle to Speak Truth to Power Journalism Before the Revolution Qatar and Saudi Arabia in the Media Sphere The Autocrats Strike Back Tools of Oppression Beyond the Arab World Freedom’s Limits Digital Insurgents In Search of Arab Journalism References Chapter 12 Purposes and Practices of MENA Television: Components of an Ever-evolving Medium Politically Driven Technology Affords Varying Degrees of Choice A Cultural Dynamic of Incumbent Censorship and Community Inventiveness “Independent” Production Among Structural Stimuli for Industrial Development Organizational Underpinnings Complicated by Authoritarian Governance and Feuds Experiential Elements Increasingly Localized and Susceptible to Credible Measurement Conclusion References Chapter 13 Digital MENA: An Overview of Digital Infrastructure, Policies, and Media Practices in the Middle East and North Africa Introduction Exploring the Divide: The Digital Infrastructure of the MENA Of Power and Control: The Policies Behind the Digital When the Political Meets Everyday Life: Digital Media Practices Conclusion References Chapter 14 Documents, Archives, Absence: Current Challenges and Insights from Media Research in the Middle East and Beyond Cinema Networks and the Unevenness of Historical Sources Tracking Semi-detached and Unsynced Elements in Archives Archival Work as Fieldwork The Unevenness of Online Platforms, Social Media, and Digitization Conclusion References Part IV (Mass) Media, Cultures, and Contexts Chapter 15 Freedom of Expression and Media Challenges in the Mena Region: A Legal and Regulatory Perspective Introduction Regional Standards on Freedom of Expression and Information Relevant Freedom of Expression Documents Subscribed to by MENA and Arab Countries The Notion of Censorship Post-2011 Developments and Increased Restrictions References Chapter 16 Arabic News Channels in the Middle East: Development and Transformation Introduction Development of Arabic News Channels News Channels in the Early Stage of Satellite Era Impacts of Al Jazeera and Its Relationship with the Qatari Government The Challenge of Al Arabiya and Its Relationship with the Saudi Government Intensification of Competition and Market Strategy of Leading News Channels The Arab Spring and Its Impact on News Channels Political Bias and Loss of Credibility of the Leading News Channels News Channels Under New National Leadership Conclusion References Chapter 17 MENA Independent Media: Negotiating the Logics of Media Development Programs Media Development Paradigm Media Development Interventions in the Middle East Perspectives of Local Actors Conclusion References Chapter 18 Divergence or Convergence between Mainstream and Independent Journalism in Turkey?: The Coverage of Operation Peace Spring Introduction Mainstream and Alternative Media in Turkey Media Representation of the Kurdish Question Empirical Discussion Conclusion References Chapter 19 Kurdish Cinema: Politics, Aesthetics, and Transnational Pathways A Political Arena for Kurdish Identity A National Cinema in Transnational Space A Discourse Genre Centered on Movement and Liminality The Future of Kurdish Cinema References Chapter 20 Aesthetic Arabism: The Syrian Musalsal Beyond Borders The Backstory The Outpouring Conclusion References Chapter 21 The Dynamics of Advertising in MENA: An Empirical Model Beginnings: The Struggle of Establishing Place The Flow of Lebanese Advertising Talent Across the Region Media Diversification and the Emergence of the Pan-ArabMedia Market Development of Advertising Formats: Experiential and Engagement Opportunities Culture in the Scope of Brands’ Growth Strategies Creating Advertisements: The Impact of Place The Structure: An Audience-Media Play Conclusion References Chapter 22 Reconfigurations of Religiopolitical Traditions and Identities: Mediated Religion in the Arab Countries Introduction A Typology Religious Channels as Political Tools Conclusion References Chapter 23 Constructing a New Identity: Women’s Work in the Iranian Broadcast Media Women and the Islamic Revolution Women and Broadcast Media in Iran After 1979 Gender Relations, Women, and Media Women’s Motivations Women’s Challenges and Strategies Conclusion: Constructing a New Identity References Chapter 24 Mediations of Political Identities in Arab Animation The Early Challenges of Arab Animation The Political Economy of Arab Animation Identity Representation in Arab Animation Articulating Nationhood by Animation Critical Notions to National Identities Competing Notions of Pan-Arab Identities Animating the Ummah The Arab Spring of Animation Conclusion References Chapter 25 Breaking Barriers: The Emergence of a Video Game Culture and Industry in the Arab World Arab Gamevironments History of Video Gaming in the Arab World Current Trends in Video Gaming in the Arab World Conclusion Acknowledgments References Part V Alternative, Independent, and Social Media Chapter 26 Taking Revolution Seriously: A Keywords Approach to Middle East Studies Introduction A Revolutionary Region Revolutionary Typologies Resonance in the Field of Middle East Studies Conclusion References Chapter 27 Alternative and Citizen Journalism(s) in the Middle East Alternative and Citizen Journalism(s) in the Middle East Between Professional Journalists and “Ordinary” People Inside and Outside Functions Performed by Alternative and Citizen Journalism(s) Economic and Organizational Perspectives Conclusion References Chapter 28 A Revolution of Smiles?: The Function of Humor in Algerian Media During the 2019–2020 Protests Introduction Theoretical Framework: Humor and Social Movements Protest and Humor in Algeria: Historical Contextualization The Genealogy of the 2019 Protestsand the Role of Humor Conclusion References Chapter 29 Creating Emotional Echo-Chambers: Activism and Self-Expression on Social Media Introduction Role of Social Media in Turkey Method Gezi Spirit Is Alive! Conclusion Acknowledgments References Chapter 30 Mnemotechnics: Digital Epistemologies and the Techno-Politics of Archiving a Revolution Many Unhappy Returns: The Egyptian Internet Shutdown and Digital Counter-Practices Momentous Ruins and Spatialized Memories The Future of (Online) Memory References Chapter 31 Media Technologies and Politics in Iran Introduction Communication Technologies and Iranian Media in Context Challenges to the State’s Communication Monopoly: Satellite Television Challenges to the State’s Communication Monopoly: The Internet Communication Policies, Networked Publics, and Citizenship Conclusion References Chapter 32 Reframing Jihadism: Deciphering the Identity, Politics, and Agenda of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham in Northwest Syria Introduction Context and Origins of HTS Strategic Communications in Syria: Methods and Objectives Methodology Global Theme 1: Revolution Global Theme 2: Politics Global Theme 3: Society Conclusion References Chapter 33 Beyond the Arab Uprisings: Politics of Rap in the Middle East Introduction Before Arab Uprisings Rap, Arab Uprisings and the Paradigm of Struggle The Politics of Post-Uprisings Rap Conclusion References Chapter 34 Egyptian Graffiti: Collective Action and Institutionalization Introduction Graffiti as Marginalized Visibility The Outburst of Political Graffiti in Egypt Institutionalization of Graffiti and the Evacuation of Political Issues? References Chapter 35 Quiet Queer Activism in Repressive Contexts in the Middle East Through the Stories of Three Egyptian Women Introduction Quiet Activism and State Repression Against the Egyptian LGBTQ Community LGBTQ Advocacy and Collective Action in the Middle East Study Methodology Micro-Level Engagement: Transformative Events and Individual Emotions Individual Pathways of Activism in the Defense of the LGBTQ Cause Conclusion References Chapter 36 Social Media and Fourth Wave Feminism in Morocco Introduction Methodology Zaineb Fasiki: A Fourth Wave Feminist Dismantling the Culture of Shame Marokkiates: Capturing a Nascent Fourth Wave From Marokkiates to Moroccan Outlaws: An Outspoken Fourth Wave Collective of Feminists Conclusion Acknowledgments References Chapter 37 The Kurdish Media in the Middle East and Diaspora: Alternative Public and Participatory Spaces for a Non-State Nation Introduction The Origins of Kurdish Media: From Print to Social Media Kurdish Social Media: Platforms for a Wider and Pluralistic National Identity Conclusion References Chapter 38 Arab American Media Arab American Immigration Scholarly Approaches to Arab American Media The Rich History of Print and Publishing A Dearth of Work on the Most Powerful Medium: Broadcasting Creative Expression: Theater, Arts, Literature, and Comedy New Directions in Digital Media Conclusion References Chapter 39 Contemporary Arab Media and Cultural Landscape in Istanbul Political Developments Underpinning the Emergence of Arab Media Scene Arab Satellite Television Channels Based in Istanbul Think Tanks, Research Centers, and Publishing Industry Cultural and Artistic Encounters Conclusion References Part VI Perspectives Chapter 40 Cultural Politics of the Diaspora Cultural Politics of a Diasporic Community – The Moroccan Diaspora in Israel Returns Conclusion References Chapter 41 Dialectics of Resistance: Youth in the Middle East References Chapter 42 Borders References Chapter 43 Activism and Surveillance in the Middle East References Index EULA "The Handbook of Media and Culture in the Middle East is a comprehensive trans-regional examination of and engagement with the lively, varied and transforming cultural practices and media production, distribution and consumption that are shaping the region. It takes an interdisciplinary approach to media and culture in the Middle East and brings together internationally recognised scholars from around the world. The collection offers fresh insights on old debates and opens new vistas for emerging questions particularly those concerned with youth, minorities and women in the region, and the ongoing interest in the socio-cultural, political and economic aspects. The contributors from various disciplines assess the past, present and the struggle for the future of media and cultural resources, forms of organisations and expressions, as well as media producers and users"-- Provided by publisher