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The Layalina Review

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

Journalism in Economic Peril

More than 100 Mideast-based magazines have shut down since the start of the global financial crisis due to dwindling advertising revenues, reports Business Maktoob. A survey conducted by Media Source, a research firm, noted that the UAE was the worst hit country, in which 74 titles had either been closed or suspended.

The 2009 MediaSource/Insight Middle East Journalist Survey canvassed the opinions of 219 journalists working for Arabic and English-language print, broadcast and online media in thirteen countries across the Middle East, covering topics ranging from press releases, press conferences, public relations practice, the sources journalists use for stories, and the current state of journalism in the region.

The companies, including Abu Dhabi Media Co (ADMC) and Arab Media Group (AMG), formed a committee to tackle the problem, according to the news site.

"We can extend payment dates but discounts are out of the question. This is not legally binding but a gentlemen's agreement," Mohamed Al-Mulla, AMG group executive director, was quoted as saying in reference to unpaid advertising fees.

A collapse in advertising revenues, which leads to title closures, redundancies and recruitment freezes, has left the region's reporters feeling increasingly under pressure. Nevertheless, government rules and regulations have emerged as the greatest barrier to journalists covering the stories the way they would like, reports AME Info.

“One of the most significant differences revealed by the 2009 survey is that journalists are receiving, and using, more press releases than they did two years ago,” notes James Mullan, joint managing partner of the media training consulting firm, Insight.

Traditional media appear to have mixed feelings about the impact of social media such as blogs, Facebook and Twitter, on news journalism. The survey found 62% of Arabic and 74% of English-language journalists view the role of social media as a source of information in a neutral or negative light, yet they admit it provides greater interaction with diverse media audiences.

A number of media organizations already utilize social media outlets to compose stories, while 55% of Arabic and 37% of English-language respondents say their media organizations aren't using it but think they should. Interestingly, only 7% of Arabic and 13% of English respondents believe social media is “a waste of time.”

The survey also found that the majority of the English-language press (63%) thinks the quality of regional journalism is improving (a drop from 80% in 2007), while only 44% of the Arabic press agrees, 28% says it is "staying the same," and 28% believe it is “getting worse.”

Overall, both regions of journalists perceive undue "government rules and regulations" as the central obstacle to enjoying complete press freedom.

Thus, Oliver Blofeld, managing partner at Insight, sums up the value of this survey, pointing out that it helps "PR practitioners better understand the concerns, frustrations and pressures placed on journalists" across the globe.

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