Archive for publications, 2013

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

Fri Jun 14 10:54:55 GMT 2013




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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