124. Name: Omair Anas Title: Transnational Arab Media Culture: Al Jazeera and its Audiences in Germany Institution: Jawaharlal Nehru University Country: India Language: English Abstract: This thesis examines the use of Arab satellite media by diasporic communities, specifically, use of Al Jazeera by the Arabs in Germany. With such a diverse use of media by an immigrant community, the next level of sociological inquiry involves the making of a public sphere which is largely transnational and in which deliberations take place. In this context, Habermas‘s theoretical concept of public sphere and its normative role in democratic process has been used and a theoretical critique of this concept has also been discussed. The study is based on data collected during a six-month field trip conducted in Berlin. Two major methods have been used in collecting data from the Arab audiences. A questionnaire, in which 52 questions were presented, was designed to collect information from 140 respondents from the Arab diaspora communities in Germany during September 2012 and February 2013. In addition, five Focus Group discussions were conducted among selected participants from different nationalities, age groups and gender. More than 30 interviews were also conducted during this fieldwork with academicians, journalists, community leaders, youth, students, café owners, women and shopkeepers.
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