[ecrea] Special Issue on: ‘Arab Reality TV’- Journal of Arab & Muslim Media Research

Journal of Arab & Muslim Media Research

Call for papers,



Special Issue on: ‘Arab Reality TV’



Arab satellite TV has witnessed an explosion of reality programme during 
the last few years. Across the Arab region, reality programmes like 
‘Arab Idol’, ‘Who wants to be a Millionaire’, Star Academy, Super Star, 
Star Academy Maghreb, Najm Alkhaleej, Al-Wady etc. have been popular 
amongst audiences from different age groups namely the youth. Such a 
genre has become a hit with the rise of Rotana and other TV networks.

However, given its potential cultural influence, reality has spurred 
controversies since its appearance. It has triggered street riots in the 
case of Al-Rai’s (the Arabic version of big Brother shut down in Bahrain 
in 2004) which compelled clerics to issue fatwas in the case of Star 
Academy in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Islamic clerics warned that such 
programmes are nothing but ‘instruments of cultural and intellectual 
invasion of the Ummah’ and in another case ‘weapons of mass destruction 
that kill values and virtue’.

Other critics argue that reality TV protagonists are not media 
professionals, the content of such programmes is superficial and 
distracts viewers from serious day-to-day issues. Such genre has also 
been received with skepticism about claims of reality they represent. 
They are seen as arranged, scripted and to some extent manufactured 
reality appealing mainly to the senses.

However supporters called this phenomenon the new thriving public sphere 
in the Arab World. Others argue that it was the closest experience of a 
democracy the Arab countries have witnessed; a first real taste of 
democracy amongst Arab viewers before the Arab Spring revolution. Such a 
new genre of TV programming opened up a new area not only for unusual 
entertainment but audience participation and engagement.

This special issue aims to unpack recent and emerging debates related to 
the above in Arab society. Research papers based on empirical studies 
are invited regarding (and not necessarily limited to) the following 
areas of enquiry:



-                    Developments in the reality TV landscape in the 
Arab World.

-                    Social media and the increased audience 
interactivity with reality TV shows.

-                    Music, taste, and fashion on Arab reality TV.

-                    Criticism and resistance to reality TV programmes 
in Arab society.

-                    Reality TV, democratization and the Arab street

-                    Reasons for the popularity of such genre and areas 
of impact.

-                    Trends in TV production and audience interests in 
the Arab region?



Submissions:

Manuscripts to be considered for publication should be submitted via 
e-mail to Noureddine Miladi (Editor) on: (noureddine.miladi /at/ qu.edu.qa). 
Each manuscript should be between 7000 and 8500 words in main text and 
150 words in abstract. All submissions will be blind-refereed.

Please refer to the Submission Guidelines for the Journal of Arab and 
Muslim Media Research 
(http://www.intellectbooks.co.uk/journals.php?issn=17519411 ) before you 
formally submit your paper.



Deadlines for submission:

-                    Abstracts of no more than 300words + author’s bio:  
by 25th June 2013

-                    Full papers: by 30th September  2013

-                    Referees feedback: by 30th November 2013

-                    Expected publication of the special issue: 
April/May 2014



Contact Details:



Dr Noureddine Miladi

Associate Professor in Mass Communication

Department of Mass Communication Co-ordinator

College of Arts and Science

PO Box: 2713

Qatar University

DOHA, QATAR




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