Arab Broadcasting regulation in the era of digital transformations: New regulatory bodies, old policies

DOI: 10.46988/IJMMC.03.02.2021.02

Abstract

This study looked at broadcasting regulatory bodies in eight Arab countries: Lebanon, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Mauritania, through a comparative normative analysis. It also sought to discover the real objectives behind establishing these bodies by looking at the extent of the powers granted to them and the degree of their independence from government agencies, and their ability to perform their tasks without being subjected to political interference. Finally, the research assessed the extent to which these bodies can reorganize the broadcasting services to ensure the diversity in views and expressive languages about it in the programs.

The study reached a number of results, the most important of which is that these regulatory bodies, which were described as independent, do not respond to the international standards in the field of broadcasting regulation and that they do not enjoy sufficient independence from the government; however, the establishment of these bodies does not reflect a radical shift in the policies of these countries In its dealings with the audio-visual media sector, which is still largely subject to the interference and control of the government.

Keywords: media regulation, regulatory bodies, media policies, broadcasting