PETRA - Media professionals on Thursday said the press in the West and the Middle East faces several obstacles that affect its credibility, objectivity and content.
In a session entitled, "Media Force for Positive Change" at the Fourth Petra Conference of Nobel Laureates yesterday, participants said among these obstacles are media institutions' lack of financial independence and governmental interference.
In addition, there is a need for greater freedom of the press and enhancing the independence of the judiciary, the panellists noted.
"Media in the Arab world suffers from many factors, chief among them the lack of financial independence and weak financial capabilities... The myth of Arab wealth is just a myth," said Jehad Khazan.
The Al Hayat writer noted that only a small number of newspapers and media outlets in the Arab world make a profit.
He added that print journalism is declining across the world and this trend will be felt in the Arab world in the next five to 10 years.
Meanwhile, Nicholas Kristof, a New York Times columnist, noted that media outlets worldwide face several restraints which affect their credibility and objectively.
"One of the problems we have is that readers do not want us to be objective. In the US, you want to be read by both the Republicans and the Democrats," he added.
According to Gary Rosenblatt, editor and publisher of the Jewish Week in New York, business is a fundamental concern, not government interference in media outlets, due to pressure from advertisers and the community.
Participants underlined that media outlets have a positive role as a force of change, but acknowledged shortcoming in terms of addressing pressing issues such as poverty, hunger and the environment, while political and security news gets wide coverage.
"I do not think that we are doing very good in making a change... for instance, we are very good at reporting any plane crash, but when it comes to reporting hunger, of which many people die, we are not doing a good job," Kristof said at yesterday's session, which was moderated by Ayman Safadi, a Jordanian journalist and writer.
Meanwhile, Yediot Aharonot columnist Nahum Barnea highlighted the responsibility shouldered by the media, as it could stir up violence in conflict zones, noting that war coverage should be detached.
In a debate with audience members, the panellists stressed the importance of objectivity and credibility, especially since the media plays a major role in influencing societies and effecting change.
Safadi said the media shapes our present and future and is a growing force, noting that there were around 12 TV channels in the Arab world in 1996, compared to about 300 currently.
He added that Internet access is increasing, pointing out that the major users are the younger generation, which widens their horizons.
By Mohammad Ghazal
© Jordan Times 2008
