Mass Communication in the Modern Arab World : Ongoing Agents of Change following the Arab Spring

This book introduces, explains, and explores communication in the modern Arab world. Focusing on contemporary times and the lasting effects of the Arab Spring, the book reveals how the unceasing growth of media and communication technologies have acted as ongoing agents of change. It provides evidence of mass communication’s potential to transform society, culture, politics, economies and development in a region where expectations of media and communication are higher than that of the western world.

Studying these media platforms and communication channels and their relationship to governments and other social and religious institutions reveals how an area of over 400 million people has seen both good and bad of transformations from the global communication wave. Case studies of media formats and practices specific to the region illuminate cultural and political factors that impact the growth of media and allow it to positively contribute to all-encompassing and democratization in the region.