Barrie Gunter is Emeritus Professor in the Department of Media and Communication, University of Leicester. He was a founding professor of the Department of Journalism Studies, University of Sheffield, and then, as Professor of Mass Communications and Head of Department, led the re-launch of the Centre of Mass Communication Research at the Department of Media and Communication, University of Leicester.
Mokhtar Elareshi is Lecturer in Media and Communication Studies at the University of Tripoli, Libya, and was also former Head of the Department of Media at Azzaytuna University, 20032006.
Khalid Al-Jaber is Assistant Professor of Political Communications in the Gulf Studies Programme at Qatar University. He is also Editor-in-Chief of the Peninsula newspaper published in Doha, and works as Principal at Global Media Consultants Organisation, Atlanta, GA, USA.
This is an important book that fills a gap in the literature on the new and social media in the GCC states. The edited volume showcases how digital telecommunications technologies influenced the social and media landscape in the GCC region, which is considered a more stable part of the Arab world following the recent upheavals. This collection of essays, the majority of which written by Arab scholars, provides an indispensable source for a broader understanding of the Gulf societies and how they were influenced by social media as well as the recent political tensions. It is an invaluable read for anyone interested in understanding digital communications in the GCC region and how these can conflict with the current regimes strategies.
Professor Noha Mellor, Creative Arts, Technologies & Science Faculty, Bedfordshire University
This edited volume fills a huge gap in the academic literature by shedding light on the social media role in the Arabian Gulf countries during the course of the Arab uprisings in 2011. The volume includes several studies authored by esteemed scholars who utilised various theoretical and methodological approaches to scientifically assess whether new media have mobilised the public in the GCC countries.
Professor Mohammed el-Nawawy, James L. Knight School of Communication, Queens University of Charlotte
There has been much debate about the role of social media in the spread of public protest and political activism in the Middle East that began in 2011. Here at last is a book that brings together the results of original empirical research from scholars from across a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds to provide some thoughtful reflection on the Arab Spring, to dispel many of the myths that have emerged around the associated events, and to offer some well-founded insights into the social and political processes that gave rise to them. The editors are to be congratulated not only for the breadth of their survey of academic work on the topic but also for their own worthy individual contributions to this collection. Together these chapters offer an invaluable guide to this complex and still-unfolding episode in world history.
Roger Dickinson, Reader in Media and Communication, University of Leicester
Social Media in the Arab World
Communication and Public Opinion in the Gulf States
EDITED BY
Barrie Gunter
Mokhtar Elareshi
Khalid Al-Jaber
Published in 2016 by
I.B.Tauris & Co. Ltd
London New York
www.ibtauris.com
Copyright Editorial Selection 2016 Barrie Gunter, Mokhtar Elareshi and Khalid Al-Jaber
Copyright Individual Chapters 2016 Samah Ahmed, Fatima AlSalem, Omair Anas, James Buie, David W. Bulla, Shubhada Chaudhary, Mokhtar Elareshi, Barrie Gunter, Khalid Al-Jaber, Marc Owen Jones, Abdul-Karim Ziani
The right of Barrie Gunter, Mokhtar Elareshi and Khalid Al-Jaber to be identified as the editors of this work has been asserted by the editors in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in a review, this book, or any part thereof, may not be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
Every attempt has been made to gain permission for the use of the images in this book. Any omissions will be rectified in future editions.
References to websites were correct at the time of writing.
Library of Modern Middle East Studies 189
ISBN:978 1 78453 578 0
eISBN:978 0 85772 866 1
ePDF:978 0 85772 835 7
A full CIP record for this book is available from the British Library
A full CIP record is available from the Library of Congress
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: available
Table of Contents
Barrie Gunter and Mokhtar Elareshi
Shubhada Chaudhary
Omair Anas
Marc Owen Jones
Abdul-Karim Ziani and Mokhtar Elareshi
David W. Bulla and James Buie
Fatima AlSalem
Mokhtar Elareshi and Khalid Al-Jaber
Marc Owen Jones
Samah Ahmed
Mokhtar Elareshi and Barrie Gunter
Social Media Fans of Western Media from Eastern Countries
Discourse Comparison between Two Facebook Pages
Popular Facebook Pages of Egyptian Media
Mobile Ownership, Use and Online Access
Reported Home Internet and Speed Access
Correlations between Mobile Phone Use and Online Activities
Reported Online News-Related Activities
Hierarchical Linear Regression Predicting Online and Offline Participation
Reported Consumption of Different News Platforms
Samah Ahmed is a media advertising professional currently based in London, UK. Samah spent her early childhood in Doha, Qatar and Khartoum, Sudan, before settling with her family in the UK. After discovering a passion for science, she pursued a degree in Biomedical Sciences and worked in the Pharmaceutical sector. Having always been interested in exploring different countries, she moved to Dubai, UAE, and made a career change from science to media. Outside work, Samah enjoys being involved and contributing to sociopolitical changes. She is a passionate member of the Sudanese diaspora, keen to contribute to the progress of Sudan, especially in the areas of youth development and education.
Fatima AlSalem is Assistant Professor in the Department of Mass Communications in Kuwait University, where she received her BA in Mass Communication (she also has an MA from Florida International University and a PhD from Indiana University). She has attended several training programmes and conferences in Turkey, Lebanon, Greece, the US, the UAE, Qatar and Japan. AlSalem joined the United Nations digital training programme run by the United States Mission to the United Nations and the Department of State. Among her research interests are online political participation, Arab public opinion, and the influence of digital media on the Arab world. She has also conducted several internationally recognised public opinion polls and online analyses for Kuwaits leading newspaper
