Blog Post #2: Framing my Research
I believe the link between Yemeni government and media is the most pertinent to my investigations on Yemeni media because Yemen is currently involved in a civil war between the central government and the Houthis. Naturally this conflict will encourage regulation, censorship, and propaganda from both sides because they both want to sway public opinion. I have cultivated several questions I will consider in my research.
First, I want to pose the same question O’Neil did in “Democratization and Mass Communication: What is the Link?”, “what extent does the authoritarian system allow for the expression of alternate viewpoints and critical discourse?” (9). Even though Yemen was founded as a Republic this question is relevant because there is a high fear on both sides of the war of being criticized. Can media companies encourage debate or perpetuate polarization in the country?
What are some of the regulations that exist to prevent the flow of information? Are regulations heavier in areas occupied by the Houthis? Do Iran and Saudi Arabia actively participate in Yemeni media since they are so intertwined in the conflict?
What role does censorship play in media? Do journalists experience pre-censorship prior to publishing their work? Or is post-censorship more common where journalists fear economic, political, and judicial punishment after the work has been published?
Is there propaganda being promoted? Which side of the conflict uses this strategy more? Do people have reactions to this propaganda?
Even though the field I’m focusing on is the link between Yemeni government and media I will also touch on ownership so I can understand the motives behind certain regulations, censorship, and propaganda. I will consume Yemeni media to see how critical it is looking at different powers in the country. I will investigate journalist abductions which I have introduced as a form of post-censorship. I will try to find copies of Al-Jumhuryah and Al-Motamar (pro-government) and 26th September and Al-thawra News (pro-Houthi) to see whether I can find any propaganda. Lastly, I will try to identify the public’s trust in traditional media outlets and whether they have begun to rely on alternative forms of media (i.e social media) to receive information.
Informational References:
Great to see you generating so many possible lines of research on media in the Yemen conflict. Alongside factors you identify here, don't ignore the separate role of the United Arab Emirates. The UAE initially intervened alongside the Saudis in support of the government. But they have now carved out a zone of influence in the south around Aden and have a cooperative relationship with southern separatist forces.
ReplyDeleteThere is also the complicating role of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), which has strongholds in parts of eastern Yemen. This makes the country a prime site for intervention by US and other forces, principally from a base in Djibouti. How different media organizations deal with AQAP and the "Global War on Terror" could also be a fruitful line of analysis.
Thank you for your response to my blog! I will add to my research questions: what role does the United Arab Emirates play in the conflict? and what is the role of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula? I will use the information you have provided me with as a tool to start my research with more ease!!
ReplyDelete