This document summarizes a presentation comparing two newspapers in the United Arab Emirates - The National and Al Ittihad. The National aims to bring Western-style journalism to the UAE, hiring many foreign journalists. However, self-censorship still occurs. In contrast, Al Ittihad is more like a government newspaper, running press releases verbatim and only interviewing officials. A critical discourse analysis found The National upholds principles of impartial reporting and verification more so than Al Ittihad, but both papers avoid fully monitoring powerful figures or addressing sensitive issues. The impact of this type of media coverage on public participation and culture requires further study.

1. By Dr. Matt J. Duffy, Zayed University
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
and
Dr. Saba ElGhul-Bebawi,
Swinburne University of Technology
Melbourne, Australia
Presentation for AUSACE 2011 conference • Beirut, Oct. 28-Nov. 1

2.  Like most Arab countries, ranked ‘Not Free’ by
Freedom House
 But, as Rugh (2004) notes UAE newspapers ‘do
show independence of the government in
criticizing the work of various ministries, such as
health, labor, and education’
 Few protections for journalists
leave journalists erring on the
side of caution
• Journalist who cross ‘red lines’
worry about fines, loss of visa
– but no longer jail

3.  Founded in 2008 to provide growing Abu
Dhabi an English-language newspaper
 Venture of government-owned Abu Dhabi
Media Company

4.  Chairman said The National
‘was born out of a vision that
recognizes the key role that a
free, professional and
enlightened press plays in
the national development
H.E. Mohamed process’
Mubarak Al Mazrouei

5.  Hired 200 Western journalists
 Editor from UK’s Telegraph
newspaper
 He left post after a year
 Paper looks as good as any
large metropolitan daily
 Other paper in Abu Dhabi is
Arabic-language daily, Al Ittihad
 Also government owned

6.  Does The National succeed in
bringing Western-style
journalism to the UAE?
 Or does self-censorship prevail?
 How does coverage in The
National differ from coverage
in Al Ittihad?
 How about a Critical Discourse
Analysis to find out?

7.  ‘Media Literacy’ literature
 ‘Principles of Journalism’
by Kovach and Rosenthiel
 Truth and verification
 Loyalty to citizens
 Independence from powerful
figures and institutions
 Space for public criticism and compromise
 Comprehensive and proportional reporting

8.  Examined April 2011
 Qualitative analysis
 Four questions:
 Is it clear from the reporting that the newspaper is
interested in verification and truth-telling?
 Do the journalists serve as independent monitors
of power?
 Are the people interviewed allowed to offer criticism and
debate issues?
 Do the reports offer a comprehensive review of the
news, or do they highlight some elements while
omitting others?

9.  Newspapers took dramatically different
tacks toward reporting the news
 Pictures on front page offer
starkest example…

10. How The National differs from all the other UAE newspapers…

11.  The National never
published a government
press release without at
least some additional
reporting
 Al Ittihad would often
run press releases
verbatim with
government news agency
tag (WAM)

12.  National reporting would
feature interviews with
residents as well as government
officials
 Took impartial tack
 Al Ittihad would only interview
government officials; perspective of
residents would be voiced as
journalists opinion
 No ‘man on the street’ interviews

13.  Both papers would independently monitor
those in power (at least criticize)
 Both unlikely to identify exactly what
official may be in charge of problem
 Al Ittihad less likely than The National
 Al Ittihad didn’t cover court/crime during
sample month
 Business coverage in news
section (of both) was
mostly toothless

14.  The National offered more
coverage of Arab Spring
 Nearly every picture on
front page in April focused on uprisings From 7Days
(Dubai Tabloid)
 Al Ittihad offered only two photos of Arab
Spring during April
 Both papers offered muted coverage of
Bahrain, an ally of UAE
 Five democracy advocates arrested for
“insulting rulers” in UAE
 Al Ittihad only reported arrests via editorial
 The National reported them after official
word

15.  The National offered many examples
upholding ‘principles of journalism’
 Impartial reporting, verification
 Distinction between news and editorial
 But self-censorship persisted
in certain areas
 Monitoring of powerful impaired
by avoidance of naming names
 Also business (in the news section)
reporting notably restrained

16.  Al Ittihad creates quite a different ‘media
literacy’
 Journalism of ‘assertion’ rather than
‘verification’
 No distinction between opinion and
impartial news
 No quotes from residents, just government
officials, other public figures
 Impact on participation?
 Little accountability for those in positions
of authority. Why?

17.  Audience study would help further explore
findings
 Are these findings unique or is Arab
journalism much like Al Ittihad?
 Are these characteristics all due to
government restrictions?
 What is impact of Al Ittihad’s coverage on
participation? Culture?
 Prickly issues surround these findings
 Is there a “right” way to do journalism?

18. www.mattjduffy.com
Paper, presentation
available on
www.academia.edu/
@mattjduffy mattjduffy