How has the UK media responded to Arab women ’journalists’ on state media during the uprisings?

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By MS. Iqbal Tamimi Our media watch in UK

Tuesday, 27 September 2011 08:48

Women on Arab TV can attract a lot of attention, but this is often focused on their appearance, which would not be the case with male presenters. These female figureheads are often not good role models, because they are not chosen for their journalistic skills, while there are many Arab female journalists who are very professional but do not get the same opportunities or recognition. This attention was noticeable during the 2011 uprisings of the Middle East.

Calls for freedom of expression and advancement of human rights, is still spreading like wild fire in the Arab world. And even though Arab women’s utilization capabilities through political and economic participation remains the lowest in the world in quantitative terms as evidenced by their very low share in parliaments, cabinets, and the work force, the state run Arab media turned to women during the uprisings that took place in early 2011, to put forward their advocacy and build solidarity.

Interesting examples can be seen in Libya and Syria. There have been women fighting on both sides of the conflicts through the media, corresponding with the international media to speak up for the majority- albeit some worked under pseudonyms, such as a woman in Libya nicknamed Perditta, who kept her late husband’s internet portal working after his assassination. Her late husband Mohammed al-Nabbous, a citizen journalist who established news stream from Libya during the uprising.

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