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	The Layalina Review on Public Diplomacy and Arab Media The Layalina Review is a peerless bi-weekly source for monitoring developments in the spheres of public diplomacy and Arab media. Its readers include academics, Foreign Service Officers, students, members of Congress and their staffs, foreign diplomats, and professionals in both the private and public sectors. Published 26 times per year, the review is FREE to subscribers and available in PDF, HTML, and RSS formats. The Layalina Review is brought to you thanks to a grant from The Dr. Scholl Foundation.
Statistic of the Week When asked How much confidence in the US do you have, 61% of the Middle east responded none, compared to 5% who responded a lot. Annual Arab Public Opinion Survey 2009, University of Maryland/Zogby International. June 02, 2009. Download VOL. V NO.15 RSS The Layalina Review on Public Diplomacy and Arab Media Vol. V No.14: 06/19-07/02, 2009 Vol. V No.13: 06/05-06/18, 2009 Vol. V No.12: 05/22-06/04, 2009 Vol. V No.11: 05/08-05/21, 2009 Archives Subscribe to our Publications Layalina Review Staff Leon Shahabian, Senior Editor Anne Hagood, Managing Editor Heather Stephenson, Contributor Youmna Sakr, Contributor Lyzz Schwegler, Contributor Omar Tanamly, Contributor Michaella Hart-Seaman, Contributor David Englander, Contributor *The views expressed here are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Layalina Productions, Inc.	VOL. V NO. 15, July 05-July 16, 2009 Liaison Appointed to Represent US Muslims American Muslim, Farah Pandith, will head the newly created Office of the United States Special Representative to Muslim Communities in the US, in an effort to engage with Muslims on a grassroots level. Israel’s Public Diplomacy Offensive Ron Dermer, the Israeli Prime Minister's closest adviser and key policy strategist, calls for a public relations makeover, while others argue that a concrete shift in foreign policy may be necessary to improve Israel’s image. Al-Jazeera English Expands in North America Al-Jazeera English (AJE) recently launched in Washington DC, making the nation’s capital only the third US market to broadcast the Doha-based news outlet. Controversy Surrounds Suspension of Emirati Newspaper Al-Youm Al-Emirati, an already controversial newspaper in the Emirates, is condemned to shutting down for 20 days following a defamation case. Superheroes Become Super Diplomats The 99, a team of superheroes based on Islamic culture and religion, may soon join forces with Justice League characters from DC comics such as Batman and Wonder Woman in an effort to promote cross-cultural understanding. Obama’s Popularity Yet to Improve US Image While Obama’s popularity is soaring across the Middle East, US foreign policy and an America’s image overall still fares poorly. Social Media not All It’s ‘Blogged’ Up to Be Journalists remain skeptical of the importance of new media reporting, calling it “over-hyped.” But the movement musters widespread support as it represents one of the few ways to challenge the influence dictatorial regimes. Polls Show Censorship Remains Main Obstacle for Journalists Censorship is still rampant throughout the Middle East, as Arab journalism struggles against declining ad revenues and shuttered independent printing presses. Journalism in Economic Peril The current global economic crisis is hitting hard profits and revenues of print newspapers which are faced to reconsider new strategies to survive. National Geographic Channel Launches in Abu Dhabi National Geographic Company and Abu Dhabi Media Company (ADMC) partner to launch the first Free-To-Air National Geographic channel in Arabic, offering factual entertainment that raises the standard of programming in the region. Hamas Unapologetic over Anti-Israeli Cartoon Hamas TV broadcast a cartoon featuring young children depicting the imprisonment of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. Al-Qaeda’s First Trial in Saudi Arabia A Saudi court issued verdicts against 330 members of Al-Qaeda in the country’s first formal terrorism trial. The terrorist trails are part of Saudi Arabia’s increased efforts to fight terrorism. Saudi Women Still Have a Long Fight Ahead Contrary to statements made by the Saudi government, Saudi women still face numerous contradictions in the laws that restrain their access to health or education services.

The Layalina Review on Public Diplomacy and Arab Media

The Layalina Review is a peerless bi-weekly source for monitoring developments in the spheres of public diplomacy and Arab media.

Its readers include academics, Foreign Service Officers, students, members of Congress and their staffs, foreign diplomats, and professionals in both the private and public sectors.

Published 26 times per year, the review is FREE to subscribers and available in PDF, HTML, and RSS formats.

The Layalina Review is brought to you thanks to a grant from The Dr. Scholl Foundation.

Statistic of the Week
When asked How much confidence in the US do you have, 61% of the Middle east responded none, compared to 5% who responded a lot. Annual Arab Public Opinion Survey 2009, University of Maryland/Zogby International. June 02, 2009.

Download VOL. V NO.15

RSS

The Layalina Review on Public Diplomacy and Arab Media

Vol. V No.14: 06/19-07/02, 2009

Vol. V No.13: 06/05-06/18, 2009

Vol. V No.12: 05/22-06/04, 2009

Vol. V No.11: 05/08-05/21, 2009

Archives

Subscribe to our Publications

Layalina Review Staff
Leon Shahabian, Senior Editor
Anne Hagood, Managing Editor
Heather Stephenson, Contributor
Youmna Sakr, Contributor
Lyzz Schwegler, Contributor
Omar Tanamly, Contributor
Michaella Hart-Seaman, Contributor
David Englander, Contributor

*The views expressed here are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Layalina Productions, Inc.

VOL. V NO. 15, July 05-July 16, 2009

Liaison Appointed to Represent US Muslims
American Muslim, Farah Pandith, will head the newly created Office of the United States Special Representative to Muslim Communities in the US, in an effort to engage with Muslims on a grassroots level.

Israel’s Public Diplomacy Offensive
Ron Dermer, the Israeli Prime Minister's closest adviser and key policy strategist, calls for a public relations makeover, while others argue that a concrete shift in foreign policy may be necessary to improve Israel’s image.

Al-Jazeera English Expands in North America
Al-Jazeera English (AJE) recently launched in Washington DC, making the nation’s capital only the third US market to broadcast the Doha-based news outlet.

Controversy Surrounds Suspension of Emirati Newspaper
Al-Youm Al-Emirati, an already controversial newspaper in the Emirates, is condemned to shutting down for 20 days following a defamation case.

Superheroes Become Super Diplomats
The 99, a team of superheroes based on Islamic culture and religion, may soon join forces with Justice League characters from DC comics such as Batman and Wonder Woman in an effort to promote cross-cultural understanding.

Obama’s Popularity Yet to Improve US Image
While Obama’s popularity is soaring across the Middle East, US foreign policy and an America’s image overall still fares poorly.

Social Media not All It’s ‘Blogged’ Up to Be
Journalists remain skeptical of the importance of new media reporting, calling it “over-hyped.” But the movement musters widespread support as it represents one of the few ways to challenge the influence dictatorial regimes.

Polls Show Censorship Remains Main Obstacle for Journalists
Censorship is still rampant throughout the Middle East, as Arab journalism struggles against declining ad revenues and shuttered independent printing presses.

Journalism in Economic Peril
The current global economic crisis is hitting hard profits and revenues of print newspapers which are faced to reconsider new strategies to survive.

National Geographic Channel Launches in Abu Dhabi
National Geographic Company and Abu Dhabi Media Company (ADMC) partner to launch the first Free-To-Air National Geographic channel in Arabic, offering factual entertainment that raises the standard of programming in the region.

Hamas Unapologetic over Anti-Israeli Cartoon
Hamas TV broadcast a cartoon featuring young children depicting the imprisonment of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.

Al-Qaeda’s First Trial in Saudi Arabia
A Saudi court issued verdicts against 330 members of Al-Qaeda in the country’s first formal terrorism trial. The terrorist trails are part of Saudi Arabia’s increased efforts to fight terrorism.

Saudi Women Still Have a Long Fight Ahead
Contrary to statements made by the Saudi government, Saudi women still face numerous contradictions in the laws that restrain their access to health or education services.