Factors Influence the Content of Saudi Arabian Newspapers - Dissertation Example

?Table of Contents Table of Contents Research Question 2 Aims and Objectives 2 Justification 2 Literature Review 3 Research Design 5 Methodology 6 Provisional Timetable 8 References 9 Research Question What factors influence the content of Saudi Arabian newspapers and how do these factors vary between different newspapers in the Kingdom? Aims and Objectives The main purpose of this research paper is to determine how news content is shaped in Saudi Arabia, with a particular focus on the factors that influence the content of Saudi Arabian newspapers. In this context, the paper will discuss the general procedure of selecting content for the local newspapers and debate the relevancy, pros and cons and improvement of the news content selection procedure adopted by most newspapers in Saudi Arabia. It will also be necessary to present a description of the nature of Saudi Arabia, centring on whether it is a secular state or a fundamentalist state, and whether or not the people enjoy the freedom of speech and press, as this reveals whether a country is broad-minded in offering basic rights to its people. It is important to recognise the issues arising from the shaping of news content in the print media, particularly newspapers, of the Saudi Kingdom. Thus, the research will end by suggesting a profound solution to the identified problems. Justification News provides us with information on every aspect of life, and can relate to individuals or entire nations of people. Thus, the freedom of press and speech has always been a controversial and debatable issue, particularly in a country like Saudi Arabia, which is an important and influential Islamic state governed by a dictatorship regime. News coverage in an Islamic state goes through various filters, especially if related to terrorism, extremism or other controversial topics. This compels the states to take extra measures in relation to how they want to portray their image in the media, both locally and, in particular, internationally. Thus, the media in Saudi Arabia does not enjoy the freedom of press, like any other country in the Middle East, mainly due to government pressure. The news presented to the audience in these countries goes through a substantial amount of processing, screening and editing before being delivered. Eventually, the common people sometimes only acquire a limited amount of information based on the actual reality. Despite the obstacles, journalists and reporters in Saudi Arabia strive to provide the bitter truth to the people. Their job is tough due to various factors and issues, notably the strict regulations and the scrutiny of print media that influences the publishing and shaping of news in Saudi Arabia. In response to these regulations, most newspapers in Saudi Arabia are looking to increase their transparency and credibility with the help of international groups including CASTOR (Circulation Audit Steering Organisation). This is a joint venture of the GCC Advertisers’ Business Group, the IAA (International Advertising Association) and the Media Agencies’ Council, formed in the UAE in 2005 with the goal of promoting the adoption of circulation auditing so to increase transparency and credibility in the print media industry. Given all this information, it is clear that the research question offers a great deal of scope. Literature Review The Saudi Arabian media system is underpinned by its particular history, just like that of any other country. The modern state of Saudi Arabia was established in 1932 after the capture of Mecca and four Arabian states by Ibn Saud, who went on to unite the entire region under the rule of the Saud family with the support of the Saudi tribes, merchants and the religious leaders while declaring himself King. However, the longevity and stability of the Kingdom is a result of its oil income, which has enabled the monarchy to deliver benefits to all sectors. Constitution Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy with no written secular constitution. The Kingdom has rejected the imposition of such a constitution on the basis that the country already possesses a constitution in terms of the principles of the Quran (Holy Book of the Muslims) and the Sunnah of Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be upon Him). However, King Fahd issued three major laws in March 1992, arguably as a reaction to international demands for written rules or a constitution. These included the Basic Law of Government and two procedural laws, one of which being the Law of Provinces that relates to the regulation of the relationship between central government agencies and regional governors. Legislation Only Article 39, out of the 83 articles present in the Basic Law on Expression, addresses the area of the media, and it only serves to advise (or warn) the media to be courteous and not endanger the security of the state. According to Article 39, information, publication and any other type of media in Saudi Arabia shall use courteous language and shall apply their efforts to educate the nation and strengthen its unity. Any action deemed to promote division or harm, sedition of the security of the state and its public relations or detract the rights and dignity of a person shall be strictly prohibited as defined by the statues. The 1992 Basic Law did not serve as a written framework for controlling the media and did not provide any permission for free speech, association or assembly. In reality, it simply endorsed the pre-existing authority of the state to control the media according to its interpretation of Islamic Law, and dictate what it wanted published. Furthermore, the legal system employed to impose the prohibitions or restrictions of the monarchy is extensively unwritten and, thus, ambiguous. Print Media The print media in Saudi Arabia is privately owned, but state control over what should and should not be published is extremely pervasive. No formal licensing procedures are in place, instead all print media—including newspapers and periodicals—are subject to royal decree. With regards news content, the Ministry of Information constantly disseminates instructions or guidelines to the print media, advising the press on the issues that are being reported by the SPA (Saudi Press Agency). Only after passing this scrutiny is a newspaper or periodical allowed or able to republish the information on an issue. The publications usually follow all such restrictions because the Minister of Information has the authority to appoint or fire editors. The 2001 report on the freedom of press in Saudi Arabia by the World Press Freedom Review stated that journalists in the Kingdom were allowed to publish reports on domestic violence and other such formerly taboo subjects or topics—including increasing unemployment—irrespective of the oppressive fear of official obfuscation of information and authoritative crackdowns. In the same year, the US Government’s report on human rights also highlighted the Saudi regime’s increased tolerance of a broader range of criticism and debate by the print media in relation to domestic issues (Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, 2002). Research Design The dissertation will follow the structure given below: Abstract Overview of the entire dissertation. Introduction Introduction to the media system in Saudi Arabia. Research Problem Statement and brief explanation of the research question. Background of the Study The procedure that news must go through before publication in Saudi Arabia. Literature Review Overview of the major studies relating to the specified research question. Research Methodology Qualitative research methodology will be adopted through conducting interviews with those who handle the news in two leading newspapers in Saudi Arabia. Data Collection Data will be collected through the interviews. Data Analysis Analysis of the data obtained. Findings and Discussion The results obtained from the data analysis will be stated and discussed. Conclusion A conclusion of how news is being shaped in Saudi Arabia and the factors influencing its publication. Suggestions Solutions for the problems faced by newspapers in Saudi Arabia in trying to publish news. Methodology The study requires analysis of the news content in two leading Saudi Arabian newspapers, Alriyadh and Alyoum. Thorough interviews will be conducted with the news handlers at each of the newspapers, with pertinent questions including the criteria for selecting the news, the sources from which they collect it, what kind of news they prefer to publish and whether or not the selection criteria have changed over the years. It will be important to establish whether outside influences, such as the government, alter the decision of whether or not to publish certain news items. Furthermore, it will be relevant to question whether being a Muslim country has an influence when choosing the right news, especially today when Muslim countries have a negative image in many parts of the world. These two newspapers will be compared against each other, making it easier to establish how appropriate the reported news is, before a comparison with newspapers from overseas to determine the significance of international news. All of the contents in the selected newspapers will be compared with those of the print media, electronic media or both. This process will help in checking the relevance of the news media in Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, both of the newspapers’ operations will be investigated from the starting point to the finished product, as it is important to know exactly what happens to the raw data obtained by the news gatherers before it is finally published as a piece of information for readers. These observations will focus on each procedure undertaken in order to modify the news, from identifying the original source from which the news was obtained to how the news is presented to its readers. Finally, the factors that influence whether a piece of news is published or not must be highlighted. Working through this methodology will make it easier to see how the news is shaped in Saudi Arabia, and whether any fabrication exists. It will also provide insights into whether the news selection criteria has changed over the years, and if being a Muslim country changes the views of those responsible for selecting news and presenting it to readers. In addition, the problematic areas will be highlighted to enable the presentation of suitable and practical solutions. It will be important to identify the kinds of problems that can be addressed, and those that cannot be eradicated from the news selection procedure. There will also be an explanation of how a newspaper reader in Saudi Arabia perceives the news delivered to him. Provisional Timetable Task Time Required Writing introduction and literature review and finalising the research question. 1 week Deciding and stating the research methodology most appropriate for the dissertation. 1 week Data Collection 1 month Data Analysis 1 week Results and Conclusion 1 week References Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (2002). Saudi Arabia Country Reports on Human Rights Practices – 2001. Available online at http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2001/nea/8296.htm. Gans, H. J. (1979). Deciding what’s news. New York: Pantheon Books. Fishman, M. (1980). Manufacturing the news. Austin, TX: University of Texas Press. Gitlin, T. (1980). The whole world is watching. Berkeley: University of California Press. Icheiser, G. (1970). Appearances and realities. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Shoemaker, P. J. (1987). Building a theory of news content: A synthesis of current approaches. Journalism Monographs, 103. Stein, M. L. (1993, December 25). An attempt at accuracy. 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