Media and Democracy in the Middle East

Combining academic and professional perspectives, this edited volume examines the current challenges to media freedom and democratization in the Middle East. The book revisits the relationship between media consumption and activism in the region, providing thorough analyses on the appropriation of social media for political engagement.

Since the outburst and spread of what was known as the 'Arab Uprisings' in 2010, the political and media landscapes in the Middle East and North Africa region have changed dramatically. The initial hope of democratic change and improvement in the region's quality of governance have since faded, as several regimes in the Middle East region bolster their aggressive approach toward voices deemed critical of governments' practices - journalists, activists, academics and citizens alike. Contributors to this timely volume focus on selected countries - Egypt, Yemen, Turkey, Lebanon, and Palestine/Israel - to examine pertinent issues related to human rights violations, freedom of expression, cultural misrepresentation, media use patterns, and activists' motivations within these countries. Collectively, the interdisciplinary chapters in this book highlight the key challenges and opportunities that political activists and journalists encounter in the region today, amidst a polarized and complex political environment accompanied by a rapidly changing media landscape.

The book's relevance will appeal to varied audiences, such as students of journalism, communication, political science, and Middle Eastern studies. It will also prove to be an invaluable resource for organizations dedicated to the research of political communication, internet freedom and use patterns of non-traditional, or new, media.