74. Name: Fereshteh Amarsy Title: Al Jazeera: A Model for Arab Women’s Empowerment Institution: SOAS, University of London Country: United Kingdom Date: 2010 Language: English Abstract: Al Jazeera has altered the Middle East media landscape due to its commitment to freedom of expression. The network challenged the traditional media system in the region and creating a public sphere for discussion between state and society, in a region where it was once absent. Al Jazeera is not only one of the most recognizable brands, but is also regarded as an influential voice that shapes public opinions in the MENA region. Focusing on the case of Al Jazeera, this study aims to assess how, and whether, the network harnesses the power of information to alleviate the plight of oppresses women in the Middle East. It seeks to understand how Al Jazeera’s programmes contribute to women’s empowerment as a crucial component of social development and progress. Therefore, this study aims to fill a gap in the current academic research where issues to Arab media and Arab women are often discussed separately. To bridge this gap and bring the two perspectives together, the researcher conducted interviews with Al Jazeera Staff and analyzed a selected sample of its programmes, which provided invaluable qualitative insight.
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