Read more
This book presents a rare investigation of the media landscape and gender dynamics in Emirati newsrooms, with a socio-cultural focus on the influence of tribal patriarchalism in determining Emirati women's role as newsmakers.
Shedding light on the stories of 40 Emirati and Arab expat journalists, including pioneer Emirati women journalists, the book offers insight into how these journalists construct gender differences and identity and how this influences their everyday attitudes, conversations, routines, and journalistic practices. The empirical study is supplanted with ethnographic explanations of the newsroom norms and journalistic practices from the author, who used participant observation inside two major news centres in Abu Dhabi and Dubai to understand the socio-cultural factors that shape the lives of Emirati and Arab expat journalists, their thoughts and beliefs about the media environment in the Emirates, and their opinions on authoritarian political control, censorship, and outdated media law.
This book will interest students and scholars of journalism and journalistic practice, media policy, international journalism, gender studies, and Middle East studies.
List of contents
1. Introduction
2. The Status of Women: History, Identity, and Gender
3. Ethnography in the Newsroom
4. The Media Landscape and State Control
5. The Ultimate Question: Who's in Charge?
6. Journalists at Odds over Censorship, Language, and PR Influence
7. Tribalism and the Female Journalists' Voice: A Dilemma Overlooked
8. State Feminism: Empowerment, Gender Balance, and Nation-Branding
9. Conclusion
About the author
Noura Al Obeidli is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Gender Studies and Media Studies, in the Division of Arts & Humanities within the Interactive Media Program at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD). Her work in the field of feminist media studies began at the University of Westminster, where she defended her doctoral dissertation in April 2020.
Summary
This book presents a rare investigation of the media landscape and gender dynamics in Emirati newsrooms, with a socio-cultural focus on the influence of tribal patriarchalism in determining Emirati women’s role as news-makers.
Report
"Noura Al Obeidli's book is timely and very important. It explores, using a sound method, how patriarchy in the UAE prescribes institutionalized sexism inside the newsroom that disempowers Emirati female journalists. The book makes a fundamental connection between tribalism, media practice, state feminism and patriarchy in the Gulf countries. Al Obeidli's ethnographic study is an excellent contribution to Arab media studies. It is a must-read for anyone researching media practice and gender politics in the Arab region."
Tarik Sabry, Professor of Media and Cultural Studies, University of Westminster.
