RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- The Arab media have come a long way recently. Only a decade ago the media landscape in the Arab world looked pretty bleak. Only a handful of sharp and courageous writers were then publishing their eye-opening articles in newspapers printed abroad. Today that situation has completely changed. The Arab public now has several independent news channels and many more outspoken commentators in a variety of newspapers to choose from. This is indeed a momentous development.
In an article titled "Courage in their Coverage" (Dec. 7, 2005) in The Washington Post, respected columnist David Ignatius calls our attention to the courage and professionalism of a growing number of Arab journalists. Ignatius himself, I must add, is a most respected journalist. He has that rare ability of capturing and reporting stories which others do not see or hear, and his articles are always stimulating, balanced, and to the point.
Ignatius cites, among others, the example set by Hussain Shobokshi, whose views in the Saudi press and on the Al-Arabiya news channel have challenged many a preconceived idea and courageously proposed alternate or otherwise hushed visions for the future. Ignatius' mention of this particular individual is especially meaningful in the light of Shobokshi's unrelenting dedication to the freedom of the press and freedom of expression.
Shobokshi's example in turn has encouraged many other journalists, many of whom are today playing a fundamental role in the changes and reforms taking place in the Arab world. Speaking of his contacts with Arab journalists at the Arab Thought Conference held last week in Dubai, Ignatius noted that he was hearing "a new voice of professionalism and accountability that is shaping the movement for change in the Arab world."
This rapidly increasing professionalism and accountability of the Arab media is all the more significant in the light of the very difficult circumstances which Arab journalists are faced with. Ignatius pays tribute to the many Arab journalists who have paid with their lives for their commitment to revealing the truth and to expressing their opinions freely. Whether in Lebanon or in Iraq, the dedication of these journalists and their sacrifice
speaks mountains for the vital and indispensable role that they are playing in Arab society and indeed in the international community, today.
There has also been a significant increase in the number of women journalists in the Arab world. These women are now questioning their position in society and demanding that more avenues be opened to them. They are questioning religious edicts and want a return to the real Islamic views on women where equality is not on paper, but practiced in everyday life.
It is time that we, also, recognize these journalists and applaud them. Whether we agree or disagree with their opinions, we should be grateful to them for the essential duty which they are fulfilling in moving our societies forwards. It is also significant that Arab governments have realized that past practices of censorship have become irrelevant and indeed counterproductive. Today they also are moving toward the conception that
whether they agree with certain views or not, it is still better to have someone alerting them to what they may be doing wrong or what they could be doing better.
This is a very healthy development in Arab society and we can be proud of the huge strides taken by our media in stimulating debate, making our leaders more accountable, and moving our societies forward. In fact, we may even be showing up the Americans in their own supposed promotion of freedom and democracy.
Ignatius notes that the courage and growing professionalism of the Arab media make him "all the more disgusted by recent revelations that [his] own government has been corrupting the nascent Iraqi free press by planting stories."
Arab society, along with the Arab media, is maturing rapidly. It is important that we openly express our gratitude and respect to the outspoken Arab journalists for the job they are doing and for the crucial role which they are playing in our society's development.
We must also thank and support foreign journalists like Ignatius for their valuable contributions to the Western understanding, and indeed our own understanding, of where the Arab world stands. These are extremely positive developments, which can only be beneficial to us all.
(Hassan Yassin is a Saudi businessman based in Riyadh and former head of The Saudi Information Office in Washington.)
