Arab Media Professionals Debate Future of Journalism in
Middle East and North Africa
Rabat, January 16, 2007

Media Professionals from fifteen countries in the Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the US gather in Marrakech January 14-16, 2007 to discuss media development in the region. The conference also discussed the Media Sustainability Index, a newly released study of the state of the media prepared by the IREX, an international non-governmental organization, and MENA region media professionals.

More than 60 journalists, editors, publishers, broadcasters, representatives from NGOs and professional associations shared experiences and ideas on the development needs of the media in the region. Mark Whitehouse, Director of Media Development at IREX, noted the changes in the region, “While there has been much discussion of the role of Pan-Arab Satellite television, other technologies and approaches such as blogging and on-line journalism are having a dramatic impact on the media and practice of journalism.”

Topics of discussion included new media (internet, mobile phone messaging (SMS), on-line journalism, blogging), local news, children’s programming, the legal environment, and journalism education. As media rapidly develops and responds to rapid technological change, media must increasingly share experiences and lessons learned to help form the basis of further media development.

The Media Sustainability Index, which discusses many of these same topics for 18 countries in the region, is now available on-line in English and Arabic at www.irex.org/msi. The MSI analyzes the status of free speech, professional journalism, plurality of news sources, business management of media organizations, and supporting institutions such as NGOs, educational institutions, and professional associations.

The Index indicates that media reform is a topic of debate throughout the region. Increasingly, journalists and media professionals are seeking to institutionalize laws protecting free speech and improve the professional quality of their media, but face obstacles in many countries. The business environment for media also varies widely, as certain countries have the resources to invest in media, including the pan-Arab satellite channels. Finally, journalists and their audience are increasingly moving to new media, such as blogging, to share news and opinions.

The Conference and the Media Sustainability Index were implemented by IREX with the support of the US Department of State Middle East Partnership Initiative and the US Agency for International Development.

Further information on the Media Sustainability Index or the conference may be obtained by contacting IREX at irex2007@irex.org.