This document summarizes a presentation comparing two newspapers in the United Arab Emirates - The National and Al Ittihad. The National aims to bring Western-style journalism to the UAE, hiring many foreign journalists. However, self-censorship still occurs. In contrast, Al Ittihad is more like a government newspaper, running press releases verbatim and only interviewing officials. A critical discourse analysis found The National upholds principles of impartial reporting and verification more so than Al Ittihad, but both papers avoid fully monitoring powerful figures or addressing sensitive issues. The impact of this type of media coverage on public participation and culture requires further study.
Same place, different media literacy: A comparison of Arabic- and English-language newspapers in the United Arab Emirates
1. By Dr. Matt J. Duffy, Zayed University
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
and
Dr. Saba ElGhul-Bebawi,
Swinburne University of Technology
Melbourne, Australia
Presentation for AUSACE 2011 conference • Beirut, Oct. 28-Nov. 1
2. Like most Arab countries, ranked ‘Not Free’ by
Freedom House
But, as Rugh (2004) notes UAE newspapers ‘do
show independence of the government in
criticizing the work of various ministries, such as
health, labor, and education’
Few protections for journalists
leave journalists erring on the
side of caution
• Journalist who cross ‘red lines’
worry about fines, loss of visa
– but no longer jail
3. Founded in 2008 to provide growing Abu
Dhabi an English-language newspaper
Venture of government-owned Abu Dhabi
Media Company
4. Chairman said The National
‘was born out of a vision that
recognizes the key role that a
free, professional and
enlightened press plays in
the national development
H.E. Mohamed process’
Mubarak Al Mazrouei
5. Hired 200 Western journalists
Editor from UK’s Telegraph
newspaper
He left post after a year
Paper looks as good as any
large metropolitan daily
Other paper in Abu Dhabi is
Arabic-language daily, Al Ittihad
Also government owned
6. Does The National succeed in
bringing Western-style
journalism to the UAE?
Or does self-censorship prevail?
How does coverage in The
National differ from coverage
in Al Ittihad?
How about a Critical Discourse
Analysis to find out?
7. ‘Media Literacy’ literature
‘Principles of Journalism’
by Kovach and Rosenthiel
Truth and verification
Loyalty to citizens
Independence from powerful
figures and institutions
Space for public criticism and compromise
Comprehensive and proportional reporting
8. Examined April 2011
Qualitative analysis
Four questions:
Is it clear from the reporting that the newspaper is
interested in verification and truth-telling?
Do the journalists serve as independent monitors
of power?
Are the people interviewed allowed to offer criticism and
debate issues?
Do the reports offer a comprehensive review of the
news, or do they highlight some elements while
omitting others?
9. Newspapers took dramatically different
tacks toward reporting the news
Pictures on front page offer
starkest example…
11. The National never
published a government
press release without at
least some additional
reporting
Al Ittihad would often
run press releases
verbatim with
government news agency
tag (WAM)
12. National reporting would
feature interviews with
residents as well as government
officials
Took impartial tack
Al Ittihad would only interview
government officials; perspective of
residents would be voiced as
journalists opinion
No ‘man on the street’ interviews
13. Both papers would independently monitor
those in power (at least criticize)
Both unlikely to identify exactly what
official may be in charge of problem
Al Ittihad less likely than The National
Al Ittihad didn’t cover court/crime during
sample month
Business coverage in news
section (of both) was
mostly toothless
14. The National offered more
coverage of Arab Spring
Nearly every picture on
front page in April focused on uprisings From 7Days
(Dubai Tabloid)
Al Ittihad offered only two photos of Arab
Spring during April
Both papers offered muted coverage of
Bahrain, an ally of UAE
Five democracy advocates arrested for
“insulting rulers” in UAE
Al Ittihad only reported arrests via editorial
The National reported them after official
word
15. The National offered many examples
upholding ‘principles of journalism’
Impartial reporting, verification
Distinction between news and editorial
But self-censorship persisted
in certain areas
Monitoring of powerful impaired
by avoidance of naming names
Also business (in the news section)
reporting notably restrained
16. Al Ittihad creates quite a different ‘media
literacy’
Journalism of ‘assertion’ rather than
‘verification’
No distinction between opinion and
impartial news
No quotes from residents, just government
officials, other public figures
Impact on participation?
Little accountability for those in positions
of authority. Why?
17. Audience study would help further explore
findings
Are these findings unique or is Arab
journalism much like Al Ittihad?
Are these characteristics all due to
government restrictions?
What is impact of Al Ittihad’s coverage on
participation? Culture?
Prickly issues surround these findings
Is there a “right” way to do journalism?
18. www.mattjduffy.com
Paper, presentation
available on
www.academia.edu/
@mattjduffy mattjduffy