Free At Last, Free At Last: Libya (Post 5)

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How could we not expect the people of Libya to be excited as they move towards a more free and independent media system? According to Fatima el Issawi’s article for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, “transitional bodies established after the revolution to reorganize the media sector took radical measures to break with the past, disbanding many of the former media outlets with the aim of creating a freer system. This was interpreted by former state journalists as punishment for their complicity.”

It is not a normal occurrence for people to succeed at a total reform of something government has so much control over. Though Libya is having some issues with journalists from the Gaddafi Era, they are working as hard as they can to get the whole nation to switch to a freer and more true media lifestyle. According to the article there are several things the people of Libya can do to make this transition more smooth. Some of them are to “lobby for the rights and security of journalists, establish a specialized expert body to spearhead the liberalization and reconstruction of Libyan media, reintegrate journalists employed during the Gaddafi era into the new media sector and adopt tailored, long-term training programs.”

They have the support of people in other countries of Africa who have a more understanding government and also a more free media system. According to yourmiddleeast.com, “Libya will likely want to create its own unique system and style. There has been talk of private TV stations and some public service media, possibly like the BBC model, which would properly represent the people. The mix of new media including newspapers and recast old titles will be of paramount importance. Radio is also very much in play and is more important than many people think.”

It is exciting to see the people working towards making their country better. Do you think that this move towards freedom will by successful? What moves do you think the United States would take if we were in the same position as Libya?

http://carnegieendowment.org/2013/05/14/transitional-libyan-media-free-at-last

http://www.yourmiddleeast.com/features/how-can-libya-build-its-independent-media_8984

Regulate the Hate

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In the Arab Nation, there is a problem with “hate speech.” In this article, the definition of hate speech is discussed at great length, because there is no finite definition. As shown in the picture above, Aidan White, the director of the Ethical Journalism Network, believes that hate speech needs to be defined by five basic principles. They are:

the status of the speaker
the reach of the speech
the intention of the speaker
the content and form of speech
the economic, social and political climate

A lot of the time, hate speech varies from nation to nation because of the regulation of the government. “Governments define it to serve their own interests,” said White.

This means that technically, the government could consider hate speech to be anything that paints the government and its authoritative figures in a negative light. A simple opinion could be twisted and manipulated and put into the category of hate speech. This contributes to the volatile environment that many journalists have come to face in the Arab nation. The words that they write are under constant scrutiny, and left to the interpretation of the government.

If there is so much government regulation in Arab media, then why can’t there be a governing body to establish what exactly constitutes hate speech? There needs to be guidelines established to determine what is and is not acceptable in the media. This will help to regulate the government as well as those that are publishing the possible hate speech. The intrusive and overbearing governments have a chance to interfere and have a positive outcome.

Hate speech is a negative form of propaganda that should be avoided at all costs. It should be a point of focus without the government tainting the definition and regulation.

Hate speech fuels the danger that journalists face. It is important to eradicate it from usage and practice ethics, self-regulation and good governance.

Source:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/magda-abufadil/beirut-seminar-targets-ar_b_6163680.html

Reality TV in Morocco

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Reality TV isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when I think of Morocco. But, on 2M TV, one of Morocco’s most popular stations, a new chat show called “Al Khayt Al Abyad” is slowly easing Moroccan society into the world of reality television. It has “given a modern twist to old customs and taken Morocco by storm,” said John Thorne, a journalist for the National World.

The show, hosted by Nassima el Hor, is not as harsh and brash as the reality television that we are used to seeing in America. It is unusual for Moroccans to air their problems out in public. There is no shameless behavior for the sake of ratings or cheap claims to fame. However, there are some dramatic appeals that still draw viewers, but they are very limited. Sensitive topics are sometimes avoided and are definitely not poked at. Filming has also been paused in the past to allow for a fight to cool down, instead of exploiting the heat of the moment. I found this very interesting.

“Al Khayt Al Abyad” follows a Moroccan tradition that when people observe neighbors in conflict, they intervene. Intervening into other people’s business sounds a lot like the popular themes shown on American reality television. However, this show wants viewers to take away lessons on how to forgive and apologize. There is good at the heart of the drama.

It is believe that the “glare of television cameras” adds to the content of the show. People always act differently when they know that a camera is around and therefore, someone is watching. The cameras bring about a positive change in people. Instead of acting out, people are actually, surprisingly, more likely to resolve their problems with their loved ones. That is what this reality show is all about: bringing people together and resolving conflict.

It truly is interesting to see the difference in reality television between media in Morocco and America. Despite some similarities, I believe it is the culture of the nations that create the differences.

Sources:

http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/africa/moroccan-tv-shows-reveals-details-of-family-life

Cell Phone Use Among Moroccan Students

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Cell Phone Use Among Students: Progress or Pandemic?

Much like in the United States, cell phone users are beginning to reach a much younger audience than ever before. Recently, Morocco has increased its use of mobile phones and, as stated in the Technological Factors blog post, Morocco’s mobile phone penetration rate has risen to 119.7%. However, with this increasing usage of mobile phones there are downsides, specifically regarding the distraction they cause in school.

According to an article written by Yassir Yousfi at Morocco World News, it has become common to see little kids using phones like adults, where they can send SMS, take pictures, use Bluetooth, watch videos, and download music — often times without parental supervision. Not only does this lack of parental supervision cause a “harmful problem” for these children in general according to Yousfi, but these mobile phone activities are occurring during class and school hours.

The Moroccan Board of Education bans the use of cell phones during school hours, but many students ignore this policy. With kids increasingly using cell phones in school, it is making it harder for teachers to reach and educate their students. As stated by Khadija –a teacher interviewed by Yousfi–:

“We are really suffering in each class from the use of cell phones among students, and this problem begins in first grade and extends until university. No sooner do I enter to the classroom and start explaining the lesson than a student is already listening to music on his phone, chatting with his friends inside or outside the classroom or, what is worse, watching video of nudity with his classmates. You can imagine I find this incredibly disturbing, as do the students who are actually in class to learn!”

Though cell phones in general provide better media access to the people of Morocco, there are many downsides as well. Much like in the United States, mobile phones often serve as a distraction in school and hinder the learning of not only the cell phone users, but the classmates that are there and ready to learn.

References:

http://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2014/05/131303/cell-phone-use-among-students-progress-or-pandemic/

Journalist Jailed in Morocco (Post 4)

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Because of how dangerous certain places can be for journalists to try and do their jobs, there is a group of people called The Committee to Protect Journalists. Earlier this year they urged Moroccan authorities to drop charges that were at that time held against a Mahmoud Lhaisan. Lhaisan is a TV journalist who was arrested in front of his home after reporting on police abuse during protests following a World Cup game.

During the protests that Lhaisan was reporting on, people were beaten and arrested, as well as police officers being injured. Moroccan government did not want this to be broadcasted in the fear of causing more disturbances.

According to the article on CPJ.org, “Lhaisan was charged with protesting illegally, obstructing traffic, and attacking police officers, according to news reports.” These accusations have no proof to support them, but are what the Moroccan government felt the reporter was doing wrong.

The article goes on to say, “Lhaisan’s family said the journalist had been arrested in retaliation for his criticism of police abuse during the demonstrations…They said that after the journalist was arrested, police surrounded their house to discourage his colleagues from expressing solidarity with him.”

The CPJ feels that journalists should not be left responsible for what happens in the news, as it is just their job to report it. This is an issue that many of the countries we have studied currently face.

Another article by the Committee to Protect Journalists focuses on the “Attacks on the Press 2010: Morocco.” The article opens by stating, “The government continued using the judiciary to settle scores with critical journalists and pressuring private advertisers to avoid probing publications, two hallmarks of its antagonistic approach to independent and opposition media. The tactics forced two leading independent weeklies to close and a critical daily newspaper to move online.”

It is a horrible place to be in, one where you can lose your job, have a company shut down, or even face imprisonment just for simply doing the job you were asked. The Committee to Protect Journalists is working towards making this world wide issue of journalists brutality and unfairness be brought to an end.

https://cpj.org/2014/07/morocco-jails-journalist-over-coverage-of-protests.php

https://cpj.org/2011/02/attacks-on-the-press-2010-morocco.php

Libyan TV Anchor Delivers News While Holding AK-47

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This would never be acceptable in the United States. That’s all that I can think about while watching this video. And how lucky are we, as American citizens, that this will never be acceptable?

If an American news anchor had brandished a gun on live television, threatening any citizens that goes against him/her and his/her beliefs, I would imagine that the delay in a live broadcast would allow the technicians or head of the station to end the broadcast immediately. And if that failed, the cameras would be cut or the anchor would have been removed from screen. At the very least, his microphone would have been muted.

This is an example of the difference in power among the media structures, between the privately owned TV stations and the government owned TV stations. This anchor was clearly broadcasting from a government owned news station. The people in power at the station allowed this action to go on because of their own political affiliation. Not to mention, the man was holding a gun. If it wasn’t just a prop, I would bet that he was running the show.

This message is threatening. Seeing a gun on live television is unsettling and scary. At least, in America, where this kind of activity is uncommon, it is. Is this the norm in Libya? I was able to find a few more video examples of passionate news anchors ranting on camera, enraged at those citizens crazy enough to go against the ruler that they believe and support so whole heartedly, Muammar Gaddafi.

It seems that this kind of activity has happened far more than it should in Libya. Once is too much. I wonder how the people in Libya reacted when they saw this image, this angry and armed man, being broadcast into their homes from their television sets.

I know that I would be terrified. I can’t imagine any children seeing that image and not being scarred for life. I don’t know what I would do if I saw this live, but I believe that a wave of unrest would travel through the American public. There would be a swift, demanding call for change and action. That man would not have his job any longer and he would be held accountable for his threat on the safety of the people.

It is upsetting to know that these actions are not taken as seriously in Libya.

This video provides a glimpse into the turmoil in Libya in only 1 minute and 3 seconds.

Cyber Cafes in Libya

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Cyber Cafes –often referred to as Internet Cafes– in Libya first emerged in the late 1990’s after the Internet was expanded from exclusively state institutions to the public. Shortly after the year 2000, this new Internet industry took off and thousands of cyber cafes emerged, making the internet more accessible and available for its people than it was before. The price of the Internet decreased, and Cyber Cafe’s browsing price was relatively low at 1LYD ($0.75) and hour –which even further decreased prior to the 2011 uprising. Between 2004 and 2007, the Internet penetration rate rose from 4% to 17%, and this rise can be partly attributed to cyber cafes.

Example of Libyan Cyber Cafe:

Cyber cafes have done a lot to increase Internet access and availability by providing an outlet for people to access the Internet, but like many things there are drawbacks to these cafes. In 2009, Cyber cafe owners were required to sign contracts with Libyan authorities to monitor the content to which people could access, and special monitoring software was installed. However, before these contracts were established in 2009, there were other means to censor the internet in cyber cafes. In 2003, a code of conduct was enacted, instructing cyber cafes to place stickers by each computer that warned cyber cafe customers not to visit websites that negatively impacted “national security” and “public morals”. The purpose of these warnings were to promote self-censorship through fear and limit access from opposition websites, and “cyber dissidents” were often arrested and imprisoned.

Accessibility and surveillance of cyber cafes have changed over the years, but arguably one of the biggest changes came in 2012 after the civil war. Beginning in February 2011, months-long periods of internet shutdown began and Internet connectivity that did exist was poor . Also, from December 2011 to February 2012 parts of Libya experienced blackouts, and without electricity internet connectivity was impossible. As a result, the cyber cafe industry was decimated ad by the beginning of 2012, most people accessed the internet through other means (such as their homes and workplaces).

All in all, cyber cafes were initially established to open up media/internet access, but the events of the past decade have limited these cafe’s impact. Also, despite the fact that Cyber Cafes initially did a lot to improve infrastructure and internet accessibility, problems of accessibility have always existed in Libya because the cost of home internet connection is (and has been) out of reach for many Libyans.

References:

http://i01.i.aliimg.com/wsphoto/v0/1297466705/ba332-font-b-Cyber-b-font-font-b-Cafe-b-font-Coffee-Cup-Internet-Banner-Shop.jpg

https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-net/2012/libya#.VIYYsIfD82d

https://youtube.com

Morocco: Internet population v.s Internet penetration

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As discussed in the class presentation and previous posts under “Media Access”, there is a huge issue with accessibility of the internet in Morocco. The chart below is a visual representation of this issue, illustrating not only an issue with internet penetration, but illustrating the gap between the population and dissemination rates.

Within the North African and Middle Eastern populations, Morocco is one of the leading countries when it comes to total internet population, but it is interesting to note that this does not translate into more efficient media access in regards to Internet dissemination.

A country’s “Internet population” refers to the amount of people within that country who have used the internet in the last 12 months. Morocco’s high Internet population of over 7.7 million is a relatively positive thing for gaining more media access because it is an indicator that there is a large amount of people using the Internet. However, the issue of media access arises because the internet penetration rate is relatively low.

According to IGI Global “Internet penetration” indicates the percentage of internet users within any given country, and can alternatively be defined as “the relationship between the number of internet users in each country and its demographic area.” Though Morocco’s Internet population is high compared to other countries, it is not high among its own population once you examine the penetration percentage. Of all the people living in Morocco, only 35% of the population are internet users, meaning 65% of the population has little to no access to the internet. (This percentage has grown since this visual was made, and now rests at 55%, but is still low). As mentioned in the definition, internet dissemination is often affected based on different demographic areas, and Morocco’s high rural population is definitely a factor.

According to Trading Economics, Morocco’s rural population as of 2010 was measured at 13,834,961.4 people. Based on this factor, almost half of the population resides in rural areas. As discussed in the previous posts under “Media Access”, rural areas in Morocco are often excluded from Internet networks and coverage. Many rural inhabitants cannot access the internet because Internet providers focus on establishing networks in urban areas, which causes a huge gap in access between two different halves of the country.

References:

http://image.slidesharecdn.com/ipsosarabnetpresentation-beirut2013-130325072901-phpapp02/95/ipsos-arabnet-presentation-beirut-2013-9-638.jpg?cb=1371472593

http://www.igi-global.com/dictionary/internet-penetration/15438

http://www.tradingeconomics.com/morocco/rural-population-wb-data.html

The Continued Struggle for Power

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After the 2011 Libyan Civil War, mentioned in a previous post, the country has continued to struggle in finding proper government stability.

Although anti-authoritarian protests and movements brought down Gaddafi as leader in 2011, a strong and democratic government has yet to take place in Libya. After the civil war, a transitional government took charge and faced the challenge of imposing order, disbanding the former rebel forces, rebuilding the economy, creating functioning institutions and managing the pledged transition to democracy and the rule of law in Libya.

While the country still had its transitional government, Libyan citizens voted in July 2012 for a General National Congress. The elections were the country’s first free national election in six decades. The congress appointed a prime minister, Ali Zeidan, in October, who formed an interim government tasked with preparing the ground for a new constitution and new parliamentary elections. Many citizens were looking forward to the country’s new constitution, because it would grantee them freedoms and rights that were not previously ensured. Also, this was the first time in decades that they had the right to choose a leader and feel as though their voice was being heard.

Though Libya seemed to have had the recipe for a successful government formation, tensions between the country’s nationalists and Islamist have depleted any current attempts to produce a stable government, and in 2014, the country was invaded by fighting between the rival militias.

Due to the fighting, the current (temporary) government in Libya was collapsed and the United Nations has struggled to bring political factions together, trying to create a peaceful environment were a new government could thrive.

In finding proper government, Libya citizens can enjoy the benefits of a free democracy and freedoms of speech, including media access and usage.

Is it a shame that a proper government in Libya could not form after citizens fought so hard in the Libyan Civil War? What do you think? Tell us in a comment below!

source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13754897

Hopes of Strengthening Economic Relations

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Morocco and Libya have been examining ways to strengthen their economic ties for quite some time. Together, the countries have been supportive of each other economically, but Libyan and Moroccan government officials and economic analysts say there is always room for improvement.

In March 2014, the government officials and analysts from both countries came together to discuss and evaluate their recent economic progress since 2011, when good trading and real estate investment began full-swing between the countries.

Since 2011, the trade between countries reached 900 million dirhams (almost 98.5 million U.S. dollars) and Libya’s direct investment in Moroccan real estate had spiked. Though those were signs of economic success, officials said that the numbers could have been even higher, believing that establishing concrete governments in both countries would create suitable economic conditions to promote more shared wealth between them.

Libyan businessman Mohamed Charaf agreed with government officials stating that there is a lot of unexplored potential between the two countries. He also advised that Libya and Morocco start economically partnering in sectors such as infrastructure, agribusiness and tourism.

In the past, general ties between Morocco and Libya have been present, especially after the formation of the Treaty of Oujda in the 1970s. The treaty tied Libya and Morocco together in many ways, including economically, against the other North African countries of Algeria, Tunisia, and Mauritania in a political divide that is still slightly present today.

Today, since the conference in 2011, both countries have been planning to keep expanding their economic horizons, building their relationships, and entering into new markets together. With the hopes of continuing their economic relationship, Morocco and Libya hope to enjoy the benefits in both their job markets and government profit.

With an increased job market, both countries may experience less poverty, leading to a more balanced system, higher education funding (leading to increased literacy rates) and more financial access to media systems.

source: http://magharebia.com/en_GB/articles/awi/features/2014/03/18/feature-03