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by ArabianBusiness.com staff writer on Tuesday, 30 October 2007
From Al-Jazeera to Dubai Inc., conventional media and marketing in the region is behind turned on its head – what impact is this having globally? Air your views…
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READERS' COMMENTS
Disclaimer: The views expressed here by our readers are not necessarily shared by ArabianBusiness.com or its employees.
Media mediocrity
Posted by Rajesh Gandhi, Kuwait, Kuwait on Tuesday 20 November 2007 at 09:00 UAE time
Mr Kanoo -very well analysed and very well said. The deep understanding of the intellectuals like Kanoo, need to be highlighted for everybody to awaken and shake his consciouness, so that thier mouth and thier pen speaks what is thier heart. Many of our people know all that but do not say, for various reasons. There is where conviction comes in, irrespective of the immediate actions. Also to the monopolistic nature of the Arab government, not many dare to voice thier hearts, as they fear backlash and unpleasant consequences.
Well, the truth has to be told to all; come what may.
Let truth prevail at all times.
Rajesh gandhi,
Kuwait
Posted by Rajesh Gandhi, Kuwait, Kuwait on Tuesday 20 November 2007 at 09:00 UAE time
Mr Kanoo -very well analysed and very well said. The deep understanding of the intellectuals like Kanoo, need to be highlighted for everybody to awaken and shake his consciouness, so that thier mouth and thier pen speaks what is thier heart. Many of our people know all that but do not say, for various reasons. There is where conviction comes in, irrespective of the immediate actions. Also to the monopolistic nature of the Arab government, not many dare to voice thier hearts, as they fear backlash and unpleasant consequences.
Well, the truth has to be told to all; come what may.
Let truth prevail at all times.
Rajesh gandhi,
Kuwait
Rock on Mishal
Posted by Geg, manama, bahrain on Friday 16 November 2007 at 13:00 UAE time
Bold! I love it! I really wanna meet this man, who seems to be standing at the bottom of a very steep and long hill. (Maybe I have already?) ‘It's money' says he of no doubt plenty and of course he's right to a large extent. In this part of the world it is a system of reverse ethics, whereby mediums embellish their advertising platform by offering so-called news, rather than developing a dynamic content platform which advertisers find attractive. Hence we experience predominantly shallow 'media-ocrity' as well Mr. Kanoo.
Sophistication is widely non existent, yet the region’s material riches are on display everywhere and everyone wants to obtain a piece of it with least effort. These riches are tangible and valuable, whereas art has great value, but in reality, little value is attached to it here, so creativity, journalism or any other abstract or intangible product is simply given little worth.
Why pioneer and perilously rock the boat baby or try to change anything when you can comfortably laugh all the way to the bank without facing the two fears: The content and any consequence, or the fear of lost revenue if you tread on the toes of one of your advertisers?
We have apparent Internet freedom and satellites and it could be argued that in other parts of the world, the media is somewhat out of control. Conversely, it is a path of broken glass when it comes to local media and little will change the hierarchy’s condescending, dark assessment of its subjects; that being ‘we are all mushrooms’ to be kept in the dark and fed manure. Only education can change that.
Locally we have monopolies running monopolies when it comes to news papers and radio stations, all disguised as one thing or another, but all blessed by the government and coining it in by default.
The region's media is simply mediocre and that includes advertising and presentation standards. The exceptions might be Aljazira and this very feed, as 'Arabian Business' actually do a pretty good job with its diverse content.
Sure, money talks; mediocrity is the language, but it is a lot more than that. Even such stalwarts as the BBC or CNN get nobbled now again and safely sanitize content when it comes to reports on local issues. I am the Middle East stringer for a well known trade magazine out of the UK and almost every thing of substance I write, gets whacked with; ‘We are trying to build a reputation and do not want to challenge anyone’, from the editor who is a really lovely chap, just looking after his interests.
Posted by Geg, manama, bahrain on Friday 16 November 2007 at 13:00 UAE time
Bold! I love it! I really wanna meet this man, who seems to be standing at the bottom of a very steep and long hill. (Maybe I have already?) ‘It's money' says he of no doubt plenty and of course he's right to a large extent. In this part of the world it is a system of reverse ethics, whereby mediums embellish their advertising platform by offering so-called news, rather than developing a dynamic content platform which advertisers find attractive. Hence we experience predominantly shallow 'media-ocrity' as well Mr. Kanoo.
Sophistication is widely non existent, yet the region’s material riches are on display everywhere and everyone wants to obtain a piece of it with least effort. These riches are tangible and valuable, whereas art has great value, but in reality, little value is attached to it here, so creativity, journalism or any other abstract or intangible product is simply given little worth.
Why pioneer and perilously rock the boat baby or try to change anything when you can comfortably laugh all the way to the bank without facing the two fears: The content and any consequence, or the fear of lost revenue if you tread on the toes of one of your advertisers?
We have apparent Internet freedom and satellites and it could be argued that in other parts of the world, the media is somewhat out of control. Conversely, it is a path of broken glass when it comes to local media and little will change the hierarchy’s condescending, dark assessment of its subjects; that being ‘we are all mushrooms’ to be kept in the dark and fed manure. Only education can change that.
Locally we have monopolies running monopolies when it comes to news papers and radio stations, all disguised as one thing or another, but all blessed by the government and coining it in by default.
The region's media is simply mediocre and that includes advertising and presentation standards. The exceptions might be Aljazira and this very feed, as 'Arabian Business' actually do a pretty good job with its diverse content.
Sure, money talks; mediocrity is the language, but it is a lot more than that. Even such stalwarts as the BBC or CNN get nobbled now again and safely sanitize content when it comes to reports on local issues. I am the Middle East stringer for a well known trade magazine out of the UK and almost every thing of substance I write, gets whacked with; ‘We are trying to build a reputation and do not want to challenge anyone’, from the editor who is a really lovely chap, just looking after his interests.
Journalism in the Gulf: 'just PR fluff'
Posted by pradeep, manama, bahrain on Thursday 15 November 2007 at 17:00 UAE time
This is absolutely true and hats off to Mr. Kanoo to highlight this...i think the whole media and marketing industry in the middle east behaves pretentiously due to the main reasons mentioned in the article ....PR for middle east should be re branded as Pretentious Relations ...and advertising to be called Ego bloating !!!
Posted by pradeep, manama, bahrain on Thursday 15 November 2007 at 17:00 UAE time
This is absolutely true and hats off to Mr. Kanoo to highlight this...i think the whole media and marketing industry in the middle east behaves pretentiously due to the main reasons mentioned in the article ....PR for middle east should be re branded as Pretentious Relations ...and advertising to be called Ego bloating !!!
PAKISTAN'S DILEMMA
Posted by RAJENDRA K. ANEJA, Dubai, UAE on Monday 12 November 2007 at 17:00 UAE time
PAKISTAN'S DILEMMA
President Musharraf is under severe fire from the international community and media for imposing an emergency. The British media has been hard on him, after 3 English journalists were expelled.
The situation in Pakistan is not as simple as it appears. It is not an elementary matter of democracy or military dictatorship, or, pure black and white. Politics in Pakistan is very complex with multiple, almost isolated silos of power, woven around the military and industrial interests, and strong individualistic leaders.
The first vertical in Pakistan, is the army. It has been, and will continue to be a powerful, dominant player in Pakistan's politics. So, if it is not Mr. Musharraf, it will some other general calling the shots, directly or indirectly. The army in Pakistan, with its powerful grip over the industrial economic machine, is a factor, which no leader can ignore.
The second vertical is the pro-western, democratic sections, lead by Mrs. Bhutto. They are well organised, articulate and ready to hit the streets in protest whenever required. However, the self-exiled leader, Mrs. Bhutto is returning to Pakistan after 8 years. In these 8 years Pakistan's polity and its politics have changed significantly due to the activities of the Al Queda and the militants. If Mrs. Bhutto makes it again to the PM, her biggest challenge will be handling the extremists.
The third vertical comprises of the followers of Mr. Nawaz Sharif. Mr. Sharif's influence is circumscribed, being exiled, as of now.
The fourth vertical, comprising of extremists, "jihadis" and "Al Queda", is one of the strongest influences today. Movies like "The Kingdom", portraying the bombings of civilians in Saudi Arabia, and "A Mighty Heart", showing the slaying of Daniel Pearl the WSJ journalist in Karachi, reveal how strong is the impact of this faction.
The USA is encouraging Mr. Musharraf and Mrs. Bhutto to forge an alliance, to contain the extremist factions. However the alliance is not easy to seal, due to the generic characteristics or the very DNA of the principal partners viz: a military habituated to governing the country and a people's democratic movement, desirious of running a western model democracy, within a principally feudal society.
Yet, it is these two groups who have to join forces to fight the extremist factions and work for Pakistan's economic revival. Whilst the army can deal with extremists, it needs international legitimacy by handing over power to a civilian government. But a civilian government cannot deal with extremists without solid support from the army and police forces!
This is the basic challenge confronting Pakistan. President Musharraf and Mrs. Bhutto have a historic opportunity to join forces to script a new agenda for Pakistan's economic prosperity. They should seize the moment, for the good of Pakistan.
Regards
Rajendra K. Aneja
Pb 29016
Dubai
UAE
050 624 1083
Posted by RAJENDRA K. ANEJA, Dubai, UAE on Monday 12 November 2007 at 17:00 UAE time
PAKISTAN'S DILEMMA
President Musharraf is under severe fire from the international community and media for imposing an emergency. The British media has been hard on him, after 3 English journalists were expelled.
The situation in Pakistan is not as simple as it appears. It is not an elementary matter of democracy or military dictatorship, or, pure black and white. Politics in Pakistan is very complex with multiple, almost isolated silos of power, woven around the military and industrial interests, and strong individualistic leaders.
The first vertical in Pakistan, is the army. It has been, and will continue to be a powerful, dominant player in Pakistan's politics. So, if it is not Mr. Musharraf, it will some other general calling the shots, directly or indirectly. The army in Pakistan, with its powerful grip over the industrial economic machine, is a factor, which no leader can ignore.
The second vertical is the pro-western, democratic sections, lead by Mrs. Bhutto. They are well organised, articulate and ready to hit the streets in protest whenever required. However, the self-exiled leader, Mrs. Bhutto is returning to Pakistan after 8 years. In these 8 years Pakistan's polity and its politics have changed significantly due to the activities of the Al Queda and the militants. If Mrs. Bhutto makes it again to the PM, her biggest challenge will be handling the extremists.
The third vertical comprises of the followers of Mr. Nawaz Sharif. Mr. Sharif's influence is circumscribed, being exiled, as of now.
The fourth vertical, comprising of extremists, "jihadis" and "Al Queda", is one of the strongest influences today. Movies like "The Kingdom", portraying the bombings of civilians in Saudi Arabia, and "A Mighty Heart", showing the slaying of Daniel Pearl the WSJ journalist in Karachi, reveal how strong is the impact of this faction.
The USA is encouraging Mr. Musharraf and Mrs. Bhutto to forge an alliance, to contain the extremist factions. However the alliance is not easy to seal, due to the generic characteristics or the very DNA of the principal partners viz: a military habituated to governing the country and a people's democratic movement, desirious of running a western model democracy, within a principally feudal society.
Yet, it is these two groups who have to join forces to fight the extremist factions and work for Pakistan's economic revival. Whilst the army can deal with extremists, it needs international legitimacy by handing over power to a civilian government. But a civilian government cannot deal with extremists without solid support from the army and police forces!
This is the basic challenge confronting Pakistan. President Musharraf and Mrs. Bhutto have a historic opportunity to join forces to script a new agenda for Pakistan's economic prosperity. They should seize the moment, for the good of Pakistan.
Regards
Rajendra K. Aneja
Pb 29016
Dubai
UAE
050 624 1083
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