"This book looks into the role played by mediated communication, particularly new and social media, in shaping various forms of struggles around power, identity and religion at a time when the Arab world is going through an unprecedented period of turmoil and upheaval. The book provides unique and m ... ultifocal perspectives on how new forms of communication remain at the centre of historical transformations in the region. The key focus of this book is not to ascertain the extent to which new communication technologies have generated the Arab spring or led to its aftermaths, but instead question how we can better understand many types of articulations between communication technologies, on the one hand, and forms of resistance, collective action, and modes of expression that have contributed to the recent uprisings and continue to shape the social and political upheavals in the region on the other. The book presents original perspectives and rigorous analysis by specialists and academics from around the world that will certainly enrich the debate around major issues raised by recent historical events." (Publisher description) more

"This study focuses on the trepidations, concerns and pitfalls audience researchers face when carrying out fieldwork studies in the Arab world. Based on extrapolations and detailed observations from field research projects, combining surveys, focus groups and interviews, this article has outlined fi ... ve main challenges in the process of audience research in the region: (1) recruitment strategies, (2) time issues, (3) group dynamics, (4) gender issues in interviews and (5) the significance of culture. In dealing with regional media audiences, researchers confront challenges ranging from hostile attitudes, suspicions of researchers' motives and even outright distrust to overzealous collaboration. Beyond these political/cultural factors, socio-economic considerations, such as literacy rates, not only affect respondents' self-reports and response rates, but may fundamentally skew the recruitment process. While some of these challenges are rooted in the practice of audience research irrespective of cultural setting, sociocultural and political realities create challenges specific to the region." (Abstract) more