The Layalina Review: Volume VI No. 9 | Layalina Productions, Inc.

The Layalina Review

	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 in part to a grant from The Dr. Scholl Foundation of Illinois.
Statistic of the Week The UAE is the 'most connected' Arab country, followed by Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, in a new study. PDF RSS Twitter Facebook Recent Issues Vol. VI No. 8: 4/9-4/22, 2010 Vol. VI No. 7: 3/26-4/8, 2010 Archives Subscribe to our Publications Layalina Review Staff Leon Shahabian Senior Editor Anne Hagood Managing Editor Lyzz Schwegler Contributor Mirna Oud Contributor Lorraine Jablonsky Contributor The views expressed here are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Layalina Productions, Inc.	VOL. VI NO. 9, April 23-May 6, 2010 South Park Generates Anger over M Comedy Central recently banned any appearances of the Muslim Prophet Mohammed on the animated series "South Park" following death threats to its employees. In the meantime, the authors of the show decry this move as censorship and against freedom of expression. The Sufis Get into Television A new Sufi channel will make its way on the pan Arab free-to-air satellite market aiming to offset the influence of Salafi and Wahabi channels that promote a strict version of Islam. Social Entrepreneurship Summit: A continuation of Obama’s Foreign Policy In line with President Obama’s pledge to improve US-Muslim relations, the Social Entrepreneurship Summit gathered investors and academics from the Muslim world in Washington D.C. to promote cross-cultural partnerships. Banning the Burqa in Europe The recent decision by the French and Belgian governments to ban the full-body veil sparked widespread criticism and controversy among human rights groups and Muslim communities who feel they are discriminated. Social Media: The Public Diplomacy du Jour President Obama's administration is credited for its use of social media in reaching out to previously unengaged populations at home and around the world. However, some point out that the trend was begun under the Bush administration with James K. Glassman, the former Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs. Rotana and the Future of Saudi Media Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal recently announced plans to sell a public stake of his media company Rotana Holding within two years. He may start a new regional news channel based on the business model of Rupert Murdoch's Fox and Sky News channels. Working on US Image Experts and writers discuss the role of the US government and of the media in creating a positive image of the troops in Afghanistan and throughout the Middle East. While some applaud President Obama's diplomatic tactics, others argue that there is a fundamental problem in the US government's approach to strategic communication. Can Obama Resolve the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict? As the administration finds itself in a diplomatic impasse with Israel and facing Arab skepticism, many wonder if any settlement over the Israeli-Palestinian crisis is realistic in the near future. Media Award Season in the Gulf Region Saudi Arabia's Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal and Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa both received awards for their contributions to the media market in the Middle East. Meanwhile, the upcoming 2010 Arab Journalism Awards will showcase the best journalists and stories in the region, highlighting young journalists. Media not Faithful to Religion While religious leaders promote interfaith dialogue and understanding of the world’s religions for international peace, they criticize the media’s constant use of negative and emotionally-charged terms in association with Islam. Freedom of the Press in the Middle East: Still in Decline The Washington-based organization Freedom House recently released its annual report exposing another year of international decline in 2009 for press freedom. While Iran ranked at the bottom, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, and the United Arab Emirates also registered notable declines.

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 in part to a grant from The Dr. Scholl Foundation of Illinois.

Statistic of the Week
The UAE is the 'most connected' Arab country, followed by Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, in a new study.

Recent Issues

Vol. VI No. 8: 4/9-4/22, 2010

Vol. VI No. 7: 3/26-4/8, 2010

Archives

Layalina Review Staff

Leon Shahabian
Senior Editor

Anne Hagood
Managing Editor

Lyzz Schwegler
Contributor

Mirna Oud
Contributor

Lorraine Jablonsky
Contributor

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

VOL. VI NO. 9, April 23-May 6, 2010

South Park Generates Anger over M
Comedy Central recently banned any appearances of the Muslim Prophet Mohammed on the animated series "South Park" following death threats to its employees. In the meantime, the authors of the show decry this move as censorship and against freedom of expression.

The Sufis Get into Television
A new Sufi channel will make its way on the pan Arab free-to-air satellite market aiming to offset the influence of Salafi and Wahabi channels that promote a strict version of Islam.

Social Entrepreneurship Summit: A continuation of Obama’s Foreign Policy
In line with President Obama’s pledge to improve US-Muslim relations, the Social Entrepreneurship Summit gathered investors and academics from the Muslim world in Washington D.C. to promote cross-cultural partnerships.

Banning the Burqa in Europe
The recent decision by the French and Belgian governments to ban the full-body veil sparked widespread criticism and controversy among human rights groups and Muslim communities who feel they are discriminated.

Social Media: The Public Diplomacy du Jour
President Obama's administration is credited for its use of social media in reaching out to previously unengaged populations at home and around the world. However, some point out that the trend was begun under the Bush administration with James K. Glassman, the former Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs.

Rotana and the Future of Saudi Media
Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal recently announced plans to sell a public stake of his media company Rotana Holding within two years. He may start a new regional news channel based on the business model of Rupert Murdoch's Fox and Sky News channels.

Working on US Image
Experts and writers discuss the role of the US government and of the media in creating a positive image of the troops in Afghanistan and throughout the Middle East. While some applaud President Obama's diplomatic tactics, others argue that there is a fundamental problem in the US government's approach to strategic communication.

Can Obama Resolve the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict?
As the administration finds itself in a diplomatic impasse with Israel and facing Arab skepticism, many wonder if any settlement over the Israeli-Palestinian crisis is realistic in the near future.

Media Award Season in the Gulf Region
Saudi Arabia's Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal and Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa both received awards for their contributions to the media market in the Middle East. Meanwhile, the upcoming 2010 Arab Journalism Awards will showcase the best journalists and stories in the region, highlighting young journalists.

Media not Faithful to Religion
While religious leaders promote interfaith dialogue and understanding of the world’s religions for international peace, they criticize the media’s constant use of negative and emotionally-charged terms in association with Islam.

Freedom of the Press in the Middle East: Still in Decline
The Washington-based organization Freedom House recently released its annual report exposing another year of international decline in 2009 for press freedom. While Iran ranked at the bottom, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, and the United Arab Emirates also registered notable declines.