• Arab Satellite Channels

Arab Satellite Channels... Between Alienation of the Mind and Responsibility

Arab satellite channels have undoubtedly become an essential component of the culture of Arab societies, interacting with and affecting the emotions and values, taking a considerable amount of the time and attention of the general public, particularly the young, through the programmes they present round the clock. A relevant question here is: What does the majority of these channels present? What is the essential substance of the items they broadcast?

Anybody who monitors these channels can easily notice the big gap between what these channels present and Arabs ambitions today: development, building generations of educated, knowledgeable young men and women who hold onto their original values and can distinguish between what is original and positive in foreign culture and what is otherwise.

Most of the items presented by Arab satellite channels are no more than hollow pomp and noise at the expense of content. They use different means to fascinate the viewers and ensure their loyalty away from their real-world problems and interests though what they present is empty show, whether a variety or light quiz show, or a talk show designed to make clamour rather than present worthwhile ideas. Some channels present magic, sorcery, palm reading, oneiromancy (interpretation of dreams) or horoscope programmes. Others present drama and film shows only, most of which, though amusing, are boring and repeated at times and do not present anything new to their viewers, nor do they add to the history of drama or the cinema, and many works are even close to being obscene and morally offensive.

Alienation of the mind

As the above review of the vast majority of the programmes presented by the Arab satellite channels shows, their ultimate end is nothing but to distract the attention not only of the young but also of the general public from their real world and from all means of real media which aim to support the necessary cultural factors for the process of development or for building political awareness among individuals in any society which seeks progress and looks forward to the future. In other words, instead of playing such a positive role, these channels, directly or indirectly, alienate the minds, on the pretext of modernity or though the promotion of the culture of superstition and religious terrorism, as a material visualization of the torment in the grave, which is known only to God. This frightens the youth, upsets their balance in life, destroys their hopes and makes them deviate from their role in the development process.

A few decades ago, reading was a central component of the youth s culture, but this is no longer the case as television with its audio visual material and the Internet play a major role in developing their awareness, which places an extra responsibility on the part of satellite channels, which have abandoned their information role, thus damaging what both school and family are trying to build which is insignificant. These two institutions cannot play their role properly without a positive contribution from the media. It is unacceptable that these satellite channels play such a negative role at a time when our societies are going ahead on ambitious plans to modernize education and research methods by making use of modern information and communication technology. There are of course a few serious, objective and responsible news-only Arab satellite channels, but these are an exception to the rule.

Responsible media

Any comparison between Arab and Western satellite channels shows a huge difference in content and even in presentation and decency on the part of female broadcasters. News channels, such as the BBC and Deutsche Welle, are exemplar in terms of responsibility, content and presentation, which is serious, but vivid and even fascinating. Absence of cultural materials in Arab satellite channels programmes is an indication of their negative role. It is also worth noting that the West, which is often accused of libertinism, presents excellent models of high culture on its channels, including music, opera, drama, literary criticism, book reviews, science and documentaries. Some Western channels, such as Discovery, are science oriented and focus one peoples cultures, natural phenomena and living creatures.

Al-Arabi s Cultural Channel

All the above was definitely in mind when we in Kuwait considered the idea of establishing Al-Arabi s channel which the Kuwaiti Ministry of Information, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, has announced that it will be launched soon. We hope this channel will bridge the gap in cultural content in the Arab media and be so highly ambitious that it acts as a model for Arab satellite channels in culture, science, research and knowledge, and thus contributes to building new, promising generations. This coincides with Al-Arabi s celebration of its golden jubilee, so that it will continue the mission which Kuwait undertook when it launched the magazine fifty years ago.

This is just one of the steps that the Arab media authorities should take. They should open new channels or direct the existing ones to shoulder their media responsibility by boosting cultural, scientific and historical programmes and build an Arab information system that fosters common human values across all nations without compromising national identities.

Arab Satellite Channel Forum

In this context, I d like to refer to the forum entitled Arab Satellite Channels and the Value and Moral Challenge Facing the Gulf Youth which was held in Doha in the first week of November 2008 under the patronage of Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser Al-Musand, President of the Qatar Education, Science and Community Development Foundation, and President of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs. The Forum was attended by a large number of workers in the Arab and Gulf media, and it generated serious discussions and put forward a number of important recommendations on the responsibility of Arab satellite channels in view of their influence on the current Arab mind.

One of the recommendations was: the need for an agreement to regulate satellite transmission in the region and an independent body to regulate the content ad monitor channels compliance with professional ethics without affecting the freedom of the media or of expression . However, in our attempt to find responsible media alternatives we have to look at the reasons why the superficial channels attract viewers, including what they copy from Western recreational channels. In this way we can present highly cultural material with a clear message in an attractive manner. We have also to focus on the weaknesses of the current Arab mentality and present progammes which promote critical thinking and are based on reason, logical argument and documented information. Such programmes should be enriched by presenting the intellectual, cultural and scientific works of the Arab elite of all generations and creating a climate of dialogue and interaction among them.

An alternative strategy

Cheap and indecent programmes can only be countered by programmes which promote high culture and arts and appeal to reason and lofty sentiments rather than primitive instincts. Well planned and not taking the form of preaching, these programmes can attract a large audience away from useless variety or quiz shows and provide a good media model which is proud of its civilization and communicates with world civilizations. As a matter of fact, the Arab media world is witnessing a number of changes in quality and quantity as well as signs of haphazardness. There is therefore a need for serious academic and field studies on the current situation of the media and the nature of the viewers and how they are influenced by the material presented.

Such studies should also draw up strategies for dealing with the mentality of the Arab viewer and introducing appropriate material in high arts, culture and science which fulfil the ambitions of the development plans in the Arab world. In addition, the studies should give an in-depth analysis of the contents of the current programmes and their share in the overall Arab media production. The Arab media authorities are required to organize training workshops for those involved in the media, particularly the young, to provide a more professional environment in the light of the huge developments in communication technology. This is likely to enhance the ability to understand the true mission of the media which counters negative thinking and backwardness and acts as a basic tool for the eradication of cultural and information illiteracy, and more importantly, a foundation for human development based on enquiring minds armed with intellect and knowledge and as a means of building and fostering values.

Sulaiman Al-Askary 

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