Media On Media Roundup (February 17)

[The "Media On Media Roundup" is an initiative to survey published material in the news and broadcast media that deals with journalism, coverage, or mass communication practices about the region. The items collected here do not reflect the views of the Media Page Editors or of Jadaliyya. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each week's roundup to media@jadaliyya.com by Friday night of every week.]

February 13 is World Radio Day
UNESCO has declared February 13 as World Radio Day and Daoud Kuttab writes about the ways in which radio is changing in the Arab world.

Attacks on the Press: CPJ's Risk List (Video)
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) compiled a list of ten countries where press freedom suffered the most in 2012. The list includes Syria, Russia, Brazil, and Turkey.

Iran's Press TV Taken Off Air in North America
Iran’s state-run network Press TV has been taken off air in North America after being dropped from the Galaxy 19 satellite platform, which had allowed it to broadcast world news and pro-government news in the United States and Canada.

Attacks on the Press: In Syria, Facing Danger from All Sides
Paul Wood recounts his and others’ experiences reporting in Syria and the dangers journalists face.

Iran: Press Freedom Violations Recounted in Real Time
Reporters Without Borders reports on press freedom violations in real time from 1 January 2013.

End Arbitrary Arrests of Mousavi, Karroubi, and Rahnavard; Free All Prisoners of Conscience
Reporters Without Borders, along with Nobel Peace laureate Shirin Ebadi, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and other organizations, have appealed to Iranian authorities for the immediate release of former presidential candidates Mehdi Karroubi and Mir Hossein Mousavi and activist Zahra Rahnavard from house arrest.

Gaza Press Freedom Shrivels Amid Journalist Persecution
Hazem Balousha reports on how Gaza’s journalists are increasingly subject to arrest and intimidation under Hamas.

Criticism of Revered Kurdish Leader Results in Bombing of Iraqi TV
Bomb explodes on roof of Iraqi satellite channel's offices one day after broadcaster aired caller's criticism of revered Kurdish leader.

Twitter vs the Emir: Tweeting in Kuwait Becoming a Dangerous Pastime
Courtney Radsch reports on the dangers of tweeting as the number of arrests made among Twitter users in Kuwait grows.

Libya's New Media Minister Promises to Defend Freedom of Press
New Media Minister Yousef Mohamed Sharif has promised to uphold the right to free speech and the freedom and independence of media in Libya.

Gag Orders Silences Israeli Press in Digital Age
Tia Goldenberg of the Associated Press writes about how Israel’s military censor has been scrutinized since sensitive reports about an Australian-Israeli prisoner were revealed.

Revolutionary Use of Social Media Changes Arab world
The Irish Times’ Karlin Lillington writes about the impact of social media during the Arab spring, arguing that social networks helped facilitate and greatly influenced the revolution.

From Egypt Media Roundup:

“Administrative Court Rules to Ban YouTube for 30 Days”
The court rules in favor of the ban in order to make Google remove a film that insults Prophet Mohamed

“State TV Presenter Interrogated For Asking Qandil About Torture”
Information minister refers state TV presenter Ahmed Abdel Aziz to interrogations for asking the prime minister on air about the case of the man who was stripped and beaten by the security forces.

From Maghreb Media Roundup:

Analysis: Libya Security Situation Improving Despite Negative Media Reporting
The Tripoli Post claims that Libyan government “working hard” to address security measures despite press that suggests otherwise.

From the Syria Media Roundup:

BBC Documentary Examines Syria’s State TV Channel al Ikhbariya

Social Media Buzz: Facebook Diplomacy and Terrorist Chants in Binnish
Mohammed Sergie’s weekly social media buzz.

The Eisentein Mujahideen: A Film Critique of Syria’s Combat Videos
Another excellent satire by Karl Sharro

The Art of War: Syria’s Artists Find Pain and Fame on the Frontlines
Aryn Baker interviews various artists who were able to capitalize on the commercial aspects of war and exile.

Join in on Twitter Today: An Arab American Conversation on Syria
A talk by Rana B. Khoury and Yisser Bittar, on the developments and the future of Syria.

Twitter Devolutions
Marc Lynch says “if we take seriously social media's role in the revolutions, how can we avoid asking tough questions about how it might have affected their aftermath?”

Reactions and Responses: Twitter Devolutions
Marc Lynch responds to the critics of his “Twitter Devolutions” article, claiming that his goal was “to push for a more complete account of the specific ways in which the new internet-based media impact politics for better and for worse.”

From the Arabian Peninsula Roundup:

The Dilemma of al-Jazeera English for American Journalist
Bob Garfield reflects on whether reporters in the United States should work for a media organization whose government is well known for its abuses of human rights, in The Guardian.

Recent Jadaliyya Articles addressing the Media:

Two Years and Counting: The Bahrain Uprising, in Pictures
A chronological look at the protest movement as the uprising has continued to unfold.

Bahrain As I Remember It
Maryam Al-Khawaja recalls the feelings of hope and change on 14 February 2011 and writes that “[d]espite the absence of international support for the demands of dignity, justice, and human rights, the spirit of Bahrainis has sustained the uprising.”