The Media in Lebanon: Fragmentation and Conflict in the Middle East (Library of Modern Middle East Studies)

"Lebanese society is famously, and even notoriously, fragmented, along both class and sectarian lines. Here, Nabil Dajani looks at how this societal division impacts on the nature of the mass media in Lebanon. Implementing the wider theory that the structure and content of mass media is unique to the society within which it operates, he looks at how Lebanese media have often helped to sustain the sectarian divisions within Lebanese society. Dealing with newspapers, radio and television as well as new and emerging forms of communication, such as the internet, social media websites and blogs, he examines how the media both reflect societal realties as well as the ways they influence social consciousness. Beginning with an analysis of the socio-political context of modern-day Lebanon, Dajani critically examines the historical and current realities of the media in this country."--Bloomsbury Publishing. Cover Half Title Series Title Copyright Dedication Contents Illustration Acknowledgments Preface 1 Background The Sociopolitical Picture The Sectarian/Economic Delineation A Heterogeneous State within a Volatile Region The Media Scene 2 The Print Media: Unceasing Challenges Historical Background Arabic Printing Preceded Gutenberg Printing Press Early Ottoman Period: Social Pamphleteering Second Ottoman Period: Political/Nationalist Press French Mandate Period: Spread of Corruption Early Independence Period: Professional Confusion The Golden Era: Rise of a Pan-Arab Lebanese Press The Onset of Press Setbacks Lebanese Press after the Civil War Loss of Pan-Arab Character Free from Government not from Sectarian/Business Bosses Lack of Order and Professional Ethics An Overview of Lebanese Newspapers General Structure of Newspapers Subservient not Watchdog Press Prominent Lebanese Papers Summing Up 3 Radio Broadcasting Overview Historical Background Structure of Lebanese Radio Civil War and Radio Broadcasting Emergence of Illegal Radio Stations The Division of Radio Lebanon Illegal Stations Taking Root Future of Lebanese Radio 4 Television Historical Background The Emergence of De Facto Stations Television Legislation Becomes an Urgent Need Development of Satellite Broadcasting Societal Challenges Conclusion 5 From Folk to Social Media Lebanon’s Oral Culture Folk Interaction Channels Religious and Social Channels Caricatures, Zajal and Theater Social Media Reach in Lebanon Social Media Landscape Internet Space and Regulation Modes Bloggers Breaking Barriers Conclusion 6 Conclusion Peculiar Environment Professional Failure Mistaken Impression of Freedom Re-Feudalization of the Public Sphere Freedom to Communicate Lack of National Policies and Plans Bibliography Index