Roles and Effects of Media in the Middle East and the United States
Abstract
This monograph compares the role of contemporary media, especially television, in the Middle East and the United States. Emphasis is placed on the more salient roles played by the media in the Middle Eastern and U.S. perspectives of the world. These roles include the impact of media on military operations, politics, foreign policy, economics, society, and culture. The paper begins with definitions of the terms "Middle East" and "media." Next, the author presents a survey of the Middle East's media establishment and its characteristics across the region. The countries included in the survey are Egypt, Sudan, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Turkey, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen, and Iran. The focus then shifts to the United States, where the history and influence of the media establishment there is reviewed. Although media in the United States and the Middle East appear quite different, they share many attributes, including the need to deal with ownership, adapt to rapidly changing technology and methods, operate in diverse environments, and deal with the various challenges to forthright news reporting and commentary. Based on this analysis, the author concludes that the media -- now more than ever -- have the capacity not only to reflect on the world, but also to transform it. How this capacity makes itself felt remains largely a function of context and culture. Still, there are underlying common denominators, including the growing intrusiveness of a burgeoning and specialized media establishment in both regions. This and related developments mean that, like Ben Franklin's adage about the poor and taxes, "the media will always be with us." The author concludes that this understanding has significant ramifications for the relationship between the media and the military in both the United States and the Middle East.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 26, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA435946
Entities
People
- Ahmed M. Mady
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College