tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33893112407028280012024-03-13T13:01:24.935-07:00ARAB COMReviews, analysis, studies and opinions on Arab media and politics, the communications industry, the social networks and blogosphere.
You can find me on Twitter @JihadTweetJihad Bitarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00818672857741399406noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389311240702828001.post-19669957420714039262012-02-03T08:39:00.000-08:002012-02-03T08:39:36.491-08:00Reaching Social Media AudiencesThis post aims at explaining what is the best approach for a brand (consumer, political or institutional) to handle the main social media platforms. This is solely based on my experience (ie: don't ask me about the scientific proof!)<br />
<br />
I've realized that many people find it difficult to grasp what are the key differences between the various social media platforms, and how they can leverage each to promote their messages. I find that the best approach is a simple comparison to what most people/brand managers know instinctively: traditional media.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/" target="_blank">YouTube: </a><br />
Think of YouTube as your TV digital subscription. You have access to a number of channels: news, entertainment, oldies etc...You can zap, record your favorite movie, pause, go to the bathroom and playback anytime.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/" target="_blank">Facebook:</a><br />
Let's face it, most of us look at Facebook for the pictures of our friends. Without images, Facebook would definitely not be Facebook. They are what videos are for YouTube; the backbone of the entire structure. Facebook is very similar to fashion magazines: a model based on still images with short text. Brand pages resemble more the "letter to the editor" section that most major magazines have: the brand manager (or magazine editor) selects what to show, edits, highlights...and sometimes can even answer.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/" target="_blank">Twitter:</a><br />
If you follow around 300 people, you can expect to get every 5 minutes around 20 new tweets (or short messages) The whole format of Twitter is based on these snippets of info thrown at you from the various people you follow. Genius....but rehashed genius. You actually consume Twitter in a very similar manner than what you do when listening to radio: you can do two activities in parallel; read the NY Times in one Tab, and check Twitter every 10 seconds in another tab (more difficult to do in Facebook or YouTube)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.google.com/" target="_blank">Google +:</a><br />
To be honest, I haven't caught up with Google + that much yet. I think their model is closer to the town hall meetings so familiar to the anglo-saxon culture.<br />
<br />
<br />
What does that say on using these various platforms and their users?<br />
<br />- On YouTube:<br />
<i>The audience</i>: a very captive audience that will stay long on the site, but one that keeps zapping from channel to channel.<br />
<i>To capture the attention</i>: create your own unique and attractive content, or make them watch your ad to get access to their movie (like pay -per-view makes you pay to see the movie)<br />
<i>To advertize:</i> targeted inserted ads, branded content, brand placement<br />
<br />
- On Facebook:<br />
<i>The audience:</i> a mildly captive audience, flipping from page to page. Sometimes reading sometimes just looking at the pictures (image yourself reading a magazine)<br />
<br />
<i>To capture the attention</i>: as in magazines, you have to have either a shock message or a very attractive visual<br />
<i>To advertize:</i> see before<br />
<br />
- On Twitter:<br />
<i>The audience:</i> people doing various things at the same time. Their attention is minimal. They will only stop and "listen" if the topic seems interesting (as in radio)<br />
<i>To capture the attention</i>: Short bursts of repetitive messages (think of the annoying supermarket ads on radio: today - and today only- special discount of 20% on frozen fish!)<br />
<br />
<i>To advertize:</i> Manage to place these short repetitive messages with special offers all day long<br />
<br />
- On Google +:<br />
Like any Town-hall meeting, be the best speaker you can be ! (= I don't know what to say here)<br />
<br />Jihad Bitarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00818672857741399406noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389311240702828001.post-36787528392195936872011-12-24T01:48:00.001-08:002011-12-24T07:05:10.869-08:00Syria: the Libyan linkFrance's <a href="http://bit.ly/sLmEOD" target="_blank">LeFigaro reported</a> briefly today on Libyan troops helping out the Syrian Free Army against Assad's regime.<br />
<br />
The report is very brief and does not shed more light on the reasons and implications of this. I will try here to do that.<br />
<br />
It is interesting first to note that the links between Syria and Libya are old and complex. During the war between Kaddafi and Libya's NTC (rebels), Syria's Assad provided a major support to Kaddafi. Indeed before NATO's air blocade over Libya, it was Syrian pilots who bombed the civilians. They were more willing to do this than Kaddafi's unmotivated troops or his mercenaries (not very knowledgeable of airplane usage)<br />
<br />
During Kaddafi's last days, he regularly <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8751264/Libya-the-Syrian-TV-station-hosting-Col-Gaddafis-rants.html" target="_blank">provided messages to Syrian TV</a> channels close to Assad's regime, and after his fall, the NTC was the first to officially recognize Syria's own opposition as the legitimate government.<br />
<br />
The interesting part of LeFigaro's article is that the Libyan troops helping out Syria's rebels are Abdelhakim <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdelhakim_Belhadj" target="_blank">Belhadj</a>'s people. His implication is very telling:<br />
<br />
Belhadj is an Islamist, previously jailed in Guantanamo, and trained in Afghanistan.
During the Libyan uprising he led the unit that took over Tripoli. Belhadj was notoriously helped by British and French special troops, and financed by Qatar. Many assume he now works for the CIA. In the Libyan political structure he is the representative of the militant Islamists in the power structure. He was reportedly arrested recently by another Libyan group as he was traveling to Turkey with large cash amounts (source says: $600K)<br />
<br />
Belhadj's involvement in Syria is therefore a strong indicator of:<br />
1. US and Qatar's decision to beef up the military aspect of the uprising<br />
2. The strong Turkish-Qatari coordination<br />
3. the increased involvement of Islamist troops and coordinators in Syria's armed rebellion.<br />
<br />
Add to this the various reports of French secret service personnel <a href="http://bit.ly/uUpUWKh" target="_blank">training some of the Syrian rebels</a>, and what you have is the recipe for a prolonged civil war.<br />
<br />
The situation is very similar to Lebanon v.1975, many back then also believed that the war would end quickly....it took 30 years!Jihad Bitarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00818672857741399406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389311240702828001.post-34943085643935487392011-12-11T22:49:00.001-08:002011-12-11T22:59:24.343-08:00Syrian expat boomThere is a visible surge in the number of Syrian daily workers in Lebanon. Just walk around Beirut's streets and you can notice that the numbers have significantly increased.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This is probably one of the most "visible" impacts of economic & political problems Syria is facing. Its excess man-force is being sent to Lebanon. This can help Syria's Assad in two ways:</div>
<div>
1. bring in much needed currency back to Syria (earn in Lebanon, send to Syria)</div>
<div>
2. get rid of a large number of young males, that could eventually become protesters in Syria. Interestingly enough, it is easier for Syria's Assad to control this population in Lebanon than in Syria itself. All Syrians leaving Syria needed to register with the Moukhabarat (secret service), and Syria's Lebanese allies are powerful enough to "control" these migrant workers.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I discussed with a small group of these recent arrival workers this morning. While very vague (or rather citing all possible reasons) on the reasons for coming to Beirut, they clearly made me feel that they were strongly "encouraged" to do so...</div>Jihad Bitarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00818672857741399406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389311240702828001.post-44405995150478195642011-11-29T22:13:00.001-08:002011-11-30T09:42:14.637-08:00Communication vs Pragmatismupdate: a few hours after publishing this post, the Mikati government with the tacit approval of Hezbollah has approved the financing of the STL.
<br />
<br />
...or why Hezbollah's self interest actually calls for financing the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) for Rafic Hariri's murder (Lebanon is due to pay its share of the financing of the tribunal. Prime Minister Mikati has said he would resign if it is not approved by the government)<br />
<br />
Hezbollah is confronted today with the most basic of all political choices: prefer communications and the party's image or act pragmatically and prioritize the party's political interests.<br />
<br />
The communication choice, would be to utterly reject the STL. This has been Hezbollah's stance since 2005: The tribunal has been portrayed by Hassan Nassrallah and every party member as a US and Israeli tool, and Nassrallah has openly said that he will never accept to finance it. Doing so now, might seem for Hezbollah's constituents and allies as a sign of weakness.<br />
<br />
On the other hand, the pragmatic choice would be to go for the financing considering the alternatives the party has, and for the following reasons:<br />
1. A strong Assad in Syria is a survival necessity for Hezbollah. Syria's own interests in Lebanon requires the prime minister to remain. In light of the Arab Leagues attacks on Syria, Assad needs a friendly Arab government, and this Lebanese government has proven to be very friendly with Assad's regime.<br />
2. Financing the tribunal will provide PM Najib Mikati with a needed boost within his own Sunnite community. Both Assad and Hezbollah need to counter the influence of Saad Hariri within the Lebanese Sunnite community. Reinforcing Mikati can therefore only benefit Hezbollah on the short term.<br />
3. A quick alternatives political analysis, shows that even if Lebanon does not finance the Tribunal, the Tribunal will probably keep going on. So what ever Hezbollah's moves are, the Tribunal will remain. Better therefore for the party to reinforce Assad and Mikati.<br />
4. By financing the Tribunal, Hezbollah would have stripped the main communication argument March 14th has been using against the Government. M14 will find themselves in a difficult communications situation.<br />
5. Hezbollah can barter this tacit approval of the financing with a major political gain for the party or its allies (like Aoun): revive the shouhoud el zour case, finance Aoun's pet projects etc...Thus ultimately benefiting with the public opinion.<br />
<br />
Hezbollah's history has shown that being politically pragmatic has always been a key feature of their policy. Furthermore, considering 1. the communications strength the party has, and 2. the utter trust the Shiite community has in the party, Hezbollah can easily spin this choice.<br />
<br />
The real challenge is going to be with the anti-Hezbollah camp. How to re-mobilize the street if the STL issue is "deflated". Time for an urgent meeting between Hariri, Geagea and Gemayel!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-alYN8yGtoMg/TtXPNXvO02I/AAAAAAAAABw/-tjzKNSEUNU/s1600/sayyed-mikati-300x148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-alYN8yGtoMg/TtXPNXvO02I/AAAAAAAAABw/-tjzKNSEUNU/s1600/sayyed-mikati-300x148.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Jihad Bitarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00818672857741399406noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389311240702828001.post-32886072792419233922011-11-27T04:07:00.001-08:002011-11-27T04:27:37.404-08:00LBC : Christian mirrorI finally got to see yesterday the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTwAXkjWU-I" target="_blank">LBC report</a> on Myriam Al Achkar's assassination. For those not following Lebanese news, Myriam was killed by a Syrian worker while going to a Church called "path to heaven". The killing has outraged the Christian community and generated a series of anti-Syrian comments: Myriam was a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1LQy63E4d0&feature=related" target="_blank">pious Christian</a><br />
<br />
The Lebanese blogosphere is up and raging against this "racist" and "xenophobic" report:<br />
view <a href="http://www.beirutreport.com/2011/11/packaging-fear-broadcasting-rage.html" target="_blank">Beirut Report</a> or <a href="http://beirutspring.com/blog/2011/11/25/%E2%9D%8A-crime-outsiders-and-economics/" target="_blank">BeirutSpring</a>'s accounts.<br />
<br />
Even though I agree with all those criticizing LBC's report as completely unprofessional, it is interesting to note that this report really reflects the mood of a majority of Lebanese Christians in general. Marcel Ghanem (the show host where the report was aired) and Philippe Abou Zeid (the senior reporter) are both Christians living in the heartland of Christians, and usually capture very well the mood of the community:<br />
<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Most were enraged by the fact that reports indicated that the Syrian killer (he has confessed) worked for the notorious Syrian moukhabarat (secret service) believed to have killed many Lebanese over the last 30 years. As trouble brews in Syria itself, a large number of Christian Lebanese are deep down looking at the cross border event with a sens of revenge (it is their turn, finally. Though they are also afraid for the future of Syrian Christians). The calls for revenge in the report are really an expression of 30 years of frustrations.</li>
<li>Because Christians are afraid for their future in the region, the community has become oversensitive. Any non political event even if remotely linked to Christianity, becomes a community trauma, and is perceived as a "proof" of the fragility of the community.</li>
<li>Lebanese Christians - in a self defense reaction - are becoming more and more <i>in3ziliyin</i> (separatists) and perceive any foreigner (to the community) as a potential aggressor.</li>
</ol>
<div>
LBC's report - though biased and racist- has therefore at least one big merit: it is a mirror to how the Christian heartland is evolving.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Somehow it reminds me of 1975....</div>
<br />
<br />Jihad Bitarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00818672857741399406noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389311240702828001.post-55753626676991991262011-11-26T10:09:00.000-08:002011-11-26T10:12:08.612-08:00Aoun and Syria: joker please!If you follow the semantic change in Michel Aoun's stances in Syria in the last 2 weeks, you will realize there is an attempt to reposition his extreme pro-Assad position into that of a philosopher watching and saddened by the events.
<p>
Aoun seems to have understood now that whatever the outcome of the events in Syria, Assad is bound to come out at minima as weakened. In his own savvy knowledge of the way Lebanese Christians think, Aoun has understood that positioning himself as an advisor to Syrians "I understand your fears and please don't fight" can help him stop his dwindling Support amongst Christians.
<p>
Aoun is actually playing on:<p>
1. Christians fears of what will come next after Assad<p>
2. fear of a civil war (spill over) in Lebanon<p>
3. Trying to portray himself as a knowledgable, experienced and responsible politician<p>
<p>
...All while trying to hedge his bets: continue supporting Assad but send mix messages.<p>
So expect in the next few weeks: press conferences supporting Assad and insulting others, but also media press releases advising peaceful solutions in Syria and hinting at the need for reforms.<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.presidentassad.net/images/Al_Assad_2010_Pictures/Bashar_Al_Assad_Michel_Aoun_Lebanon_September_2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="222" width="500" src="http://www.presidentassad.net/images/Al_Assad_2010_Pictures/Bashar_Al_Assad_Michel_Aoun_Lebanon_September_2010.jpg" /></a></div>Jihad Bitarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00818672857741399406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389311240702828001.post-13414930719455404122011-11-25T02:13:00.001-08:002011-11-25T02:26:45.313-08:00STL & why it is still relevantJust read Elias Muhanna (aka <a href="http://qifanabki.com/" target="_blank">Qifa Nabki</a>)'s <a href="http://latitude.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/23/just-another-day-in-lebanon/?src=tp" target="_blank">feature in the NY Times</a> "Just another day in Lebanon".<br />
<br />
Quite interesting, Elias makes a point that Lebanon's future is at best uncertain, and wonders about the future of the STL (Special Tribunal for Lebanon)<br />
<br />
Though I agree with him, I wonder why the pessimistic tone around the STL's role and influence. I think it is playing a much more important role in Lebanon's current political crisis than it shows:<br />
<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>It is still used as a rallying cause for various M14 leaders</li>
<li>It is used by Walid Jumblatt as a justification for his political re positioning (caused by Syria's troubles)</li>
<li>It is (if well utilized) a negotiation tool in the post Assad redrawing of Lebanon's influences</li>
<li>On the long term it acts as a continuous looming threat over Hezbollah and Syria's Assad (never know when it can be fully utilized)</li>
<li>When there is nothing else to discuss, it serves as a back up for journalists!</li>
</ol>
<br />
<br />
My main problem with the STL is the "communications obsessed" way Mustakbal leaders use it. They are the main reason behind diluting its perceived importance among the public opinion. Overuse it, you'll kill it.<br />
<br />
Part of the communication's success of the STL (in my opinion) is to keep a shroud of mystery around it. Hezbollah works hard to destroy that...By over communicating, Mustakbal leadersare doing a better job!Jihad Bitarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00818672857741399406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389311240702828001.post-32651702794695855842011-11-24T22:22:00.000-08:002011-11-25T02:28:48.057-08:00Jumblatt and the absurditiesJumblatt slammed today the "<a href="http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/21348-jumblat-slams-lebanese-bazaar-and-absurdities-of-politics" target="_blank">absurdities</a>" of Lebanese politics.<br />
<br />
I like Jumblatt as a person: funny, educated and an analytic mind. But flip flop Jumblatt criticizing the absurdities of Lebanese politics ??!?! common! this must be the most absurd statement of the day.<br />
<br />
That said, if you google "walid jumblatt" + absurd, you'll find 21,800 references. It seems he likes the word a lot.Jihad Bitarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00818672857741399406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389311240702828001.post-41652529895114967082011-11-24T08:51:00.000-08:002011-11-24T08:51:17.514-08:00Syria: Scenarios and Civil Wararticle I originally posted in March 2011 in http://www.arabdemocracy.com/search/label/Jihad%20Bitar<br />
<br />
(check out arabdemocracy.com, really great analysis site)<br />
<br />
“Protests in Daraa-Syria”; When I read this ticker in my favorite news channel, I can’t honestly say I did not feel goose bumps. As a Lebanese, anything that happens in Syria directly affects my country and probably the entire geopolitical (dis)equilibrium that has characterised the Middle East since the last Israeli-Arab wars of 1973.<br />
<br />
Four days after the Daraa spark, I counted twelve cities where unrest was happening. Busy with the very rare YouTube videos and the inevitable contradictory death toll, news channels forgot to analyze the essential question: what next for Syria, and what about the impact on the region.<br />
<br />
Syria is not Egypt and even less Tunisia. In these two North African countries, the revolts featured distinctive social demands: jobs, a future and freedom. In Syria, these three basic demands are complicated by an extra sectarian flavor. Syria’s 75% Sunni population is ruled by Bashar Al-Assad’s Alawites who make 10% of the population.<br />
<br />
Social demands mixed with sectarian unrest ia a usual recipe for disaster: a special kind of one, civil war.<br />
<br />
Daraa is an interesting city for the start of the revolution. It is close to Damascus, and its population is a mix of Sunni, Alawites and Druze. As anyone who has ever lived through civil war would tell you, trouble always starts within mixed areas which act as point of frictions: living side by side with the 'other' ferments jealousy, anger and hatred. Daraa exploded, Aleppo and Lattaquia followed; two other highly mixed cities. The Sunni citizens of these towns are usually more religious, and have more reasons to imitate their Egyptian and Tunisian Sunni “brothers”.<br />
<br />
The first reaction of the regime has been to bring down to the streets the pro-Assad protesters, and contrary to Egypt’s Moubarak or Tunisia’s Ben Ali, the Syrian regime does have real supporters: the Assad’s own Alawites, but also most of Syria’s Christians and Shiite minorities. The Druze community- well advised by their cousins in Israel and Lebanon- will probably wait to see how things turn before taking a stand.<br />
<br />
I remember long talks with my Syrian friends, telling me how many of the Alawites from Lattaquia for example, were armed by the regime, and how the roads between Sunni dominated cities and others were on purpose never fully operational: call it “trouble insurance”, but the regime has always been prepared for when that “Sunni” pride day would come. The regime and its supporters are very aware that a “simple” change of power will not – and cannot- happen peacefully. The only way out is probably war, civil war.<br />
<br />
While that civil war scenario is – in my opinion – the most likely, three others exist.<br />
<br />
In the first, and as the protests gain momentum, the Alawites tribal heads could decide to drop the Al-Assad family. Fearing for the future, these traditional leaders – who also lost part of their power at the hands of the ruling family- might conclude that joining the protest momentum is the best way to “protect” the community. The Christians and hesitant Druze groups would then be forced to do the same. The domino effect would then be terminal for the current regime.<br />
<br />
In the second, the Syrian regime analyzes that most foreign countries have no interest in seeing the regime fall, and cracks down on the protest the hard way, the Hama way. In 1982, Bachar Al-Assad’s father had ended a similar revolt by killing an estimated 5,000 people. Most countries remained silent, as Syria’s stability was –and still is- a guarantee for all the countries in the region. Al-Assad will then be free to break the revolt. But in 1982, there was no Facebook, Al-Jazeera or Al-Arabiya ; information is the enemy of dictatorships.<br />
<br />
In the third, Al-Assad decides that dropping Iran and getting close to Saudi-Arabia is his best bet to “calm” Sunnite protests. While the regime will probably try this path – as early reports of last minute meetings between Saudis and Syrian leaders show – it is doubtful that it will impact or calm the protesters. The Syrians might find this path to be a dead-end.<br />
<br />
The rest of this article analyzes the regional impact in case the civil war scenario does unfold. Part of the proof lies in an unnoticed tweet by BBC’s correspondent in Syria – Lina Sinjab – she reported that protesters had arrested Iranian and Hezbollah operatives working alongside the Syrian security forces.<br />
<br />
Syria is Iran’s best friend in the region and the main conduct for Iranian weapons to Hezbollah. Iran can simply not afford to lose the Al-Assad regime. As the BBC Tweet showed, Iran will spend the right amount of money, effort and men to keep the Syrian regime alive. On the other hand, Saudi Arabia will not accept to sit down and watch its arch-enemy Iran take over Syria. The Saudis will probably send weapons and support to the protesters. Syria would then – ironically- become a new Lebanon (not the other way around) and fall into civil war.<br />
<br />
If the current Syrian regime falls, one can expect the following impact on the region:<br />
<br />
- Reconciliation between Hamas and PLO in Palestine: the changes in the region will weaken both their sponsors, and drive the Palestinian people to request more from their leaders. Both Hamas and PLO leaders might have no choice but coordinate.<br />
<br />
- Depending on how things turn out in Syria, Iran will have to choose between either 1) negotiating with the Saudis and Americans, or 2) going full speed with a destabilization of the region: and eventually a regional war.<br />
<br />
- Iran’s repositioning will impact Hezbollah’s choices: 1) Use its weapons to negotiate a constitutional settlement that favors it, or 2) Decide that taking over Lebanon is its best long term choice, before losing its vital Syrian weapons conduct. Lebanon’s civil war could then get re-ignited, and the country heading towards a de-facto federation.<br />
<br />
- Saudi Arabia’s Shiite community will be pushed by Iran to stand-up to the Monarchy. Expect more trouble in the oil rich – and Shiite dominated- eastern region of Saudi Arabia.<br />
<br />
- Israel’s best interest would be to wait and see how the events turn out. But as Lebanon’s civil war history has shown, anarchy at Israel’s borders increases the possibility of “independent” groups firing rockets at Israel. The Israeli reaction might further put pressure on the Israeli government to “act”.<br />
<br />
In all the scenarios, the region is bound for some tough times: nothing new in the book’s cover, but all new in its content.Jihad Bitarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00818672857741399406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389311240702828001.post-56293724119656693412011-11-24T08:26:00.000-08:002011-11-24T08:27:59.451-08:00The blog is BackAfter one year of dormant blogging activities (I joined Twitter meanwhile) I am reactivating this blog!!! <br /><br />at least I hope so!!Jihad Bitarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00818672857741399406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389311240702828001.post-53864891071403316482010-11-01T04:28:00.000-07:002010-11-01T04:29:39.140-07:00CNN Arabic revampscheck out the new CNN Arabic website<br />www.CNNArabic.com <br /><br />They changed the look and feel. It is clearly better than before!!!!<br /><br />you can read their press release at:<br />http://www.ameinfo.com/247464.htmlJihad Bitarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00818672857741399406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389311240702828001.post-36048637701118969472010-10-31T11:27:00.001-07:002010-10-31T11:27:45.450-07:00Last minute: Al Jazeera banned in MoroccoThe Moroccan communications ministry has said its has suspended the operations of the Qatar-based Al-Jazeera television news channel in Rabat and withdrawn the accreditations of its staff, AFP has reported. The move followed "numerous failures in (following) the rules of serious and responsible journalism," the ministry said. The authorities took exception 'to the way Al-Jazeera handles the issues of Islamists and Western Sahara', a government official who declined to be named was quoted as saying.Jihad Bitarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00818672857741399406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389311240702828001.post-85248443616316934032010-10-31T07:56:00.000-07:002010-10-31T07:57:24.902-07:00Netanyahu on speaking to the Arab Mediafrom Jerusalem Post:<br /><br /><br />Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will grant an interview to the Palestinian or pan- Arab media when the message he wants to convey may actually make a difference, government sources said this week.<br /><br />These comments came after Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas gave an interview to Channel 1 on Sunday evening, bringing his message directly to the Israeli people.<br /><br />This is the third time Abbas has brought his message into Israeli living rooms in recent months. The PA President was interviewed by Channel 2 in April, and in July, briefed print journalists. And now, this latest an interview with Channel 1.<br /><br />In contrast, even though standing requests have been made to the Prime Minister’s Office by numerous Palestinian and Pan-Arabic outlets – including from networks like Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabiya – no decision has yet been made by Netanyahu to grant any of them an interview.<br /><br />An internal discussion was held on the matter “of late,” according to one source, but the discussions haven’t yet “come to fruition.”<br /><br />Netanyahu heard the Abbas interview, and during a meeting with the Likud faction the following day said, “I must say that I prefer to talk to him face-to-face. This interview took place seven minutes from here. A direct conversation can advance the resolution of the conflict.”<br /><br />When Abbas wants to address the Israeli public he knows that if he interviews with one of the Israeli stations he will have a significant audience. But this is not the case if Netanyahu wants to address the Palestinians, since the Palestinian Authority television news is not widely viewed, certainly less than Al-Arabiya and Al-Jazeera.<br /><br />The Arab media is not the only media outlet that has failed to secure an interview with Netanyahu. The prime minister has given only a few in-depth interviews to the Israeli media since taking power in March 2009. And for the first time in recent memory, this year no Rosh Hashana interview was granted.<br /><br />On Sunday, Netanyahu gave a brief interview to Army Radio to mark its 60th anniversary, but mostly gave his personal reminiscences of the radio station; the PM made little mention of the weighty issues facing the country.Jihad Bitarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00818672857741399406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389311240702828001.post-51991288542454207262010-10-27T06:29:00.001-07:002010-10-27T06:30:02.001-07:00More Rotana in EgyptRotana Egypt is planned to go live on January 1, and will complement Rotana's other offerings in Egypt, including Rotana Cinema and Rotana RadioJihad Bitarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00818672857741399406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389311240702828001.post-48709711871941877572010-10-27T01:05:00.000-07:002010-10-27T01:19:11.035-07:00BACK IN BUSINESS!!!!!!!After a one year stop, this blog is back!<br /><br />To start with my OpEd in this month's Communication mag. It's about blogs and social networks.<br /><br /><br /><br />By Jihad Bitar<br />Head of Knowledge at Quantum Communications<br /><br />When the editor of this fine magazine contacted me for this column, the first question she asked me was “why haven’t you been updating your blog?”. Even though the true reason was a fashionable laziness attitude in these hot summer days, I also noted that my “blog monitoring” business had gone down by 50% in the last two years, while my Facebook and Twitter listening revenues was up by 400%! <br /><br />So are blogs dying? What is certain is that we are a large 190 million worldwide blog population… but a declining one. The number of blogs created has gone down significantly in the last 3 years. And of the 190 million blogs out there, only 4% (source: Technocrati) were updated in the last 4 months, indicating a slow but certain erosion. Instead of creating a blog to post ideas or comments on the neighbors, user x now prefers to open a Facebook page (much faster) and/or twit on the predicament of having noisy neighbors. Twitter and Facebook’s unique strength is unmatchable for the typical blog: they both need less content: Creating and updating content is probably one of the most annoying thing user x has ever done.<br /><br />The venerable Economist magazine put it best in its June 24th 2010 issue, when it quoted a researcher - a self proclaimed “blog archeologist” – describing his research platform as a “vast field of dead blogs”. In the last year, growth of Blogger and WordPress, the world’s two leading blog hosting platforms, have stagnated , while that of Facebook surged by 66% and Twitter by 47% (source: Nielsen Research)<br /><br />In our own Arab world, reliable figures are even harder to find. I estimate the number at around 500,000 (of which an estimated 50% are in English). But like all other webbers, Arabs are slowly moving away from blogs, and going to Facebook, Twiter and MySpace (and even blackberry chat). Egypt is still the main provider of blogging content (no surprise there, as Egyptians are known to be the most talkative of the Arabs), but Gulf countries are slowly catching up. Lebanon & Jordan (thanks to Maktoob’s platform) benefit from their “more liberal” cultures, and are hosts to a number of very opinionated blogs (which is how blogs should be anyhow)<br /><br />If blogs can die, then they are alive. And like life, Darwin’s theory of evolution also applies to the blogosphere. It is evolving, and only those that adapt to internet changes will survive. Blogs with access to recurrent content are thriving, and who better to create content than both the corporate and political worlds. Technocrati’s top 100 blogs (by number of visits) show the strong lead corporate blogs have (number one is the hugely successful Huffington Post, a leading US political commentary site). <br /><br />The blogosphere is being slowly eaten by the brand builders; they have the money and the time. Blogs are not dead, they are just getting older and more capitalistic.<br />The real question now is, will Facebook and Twitter follow their “old” (born in 2004! roughly 200 years in internet age) cousin’s fate? My guess is to watch out for the corporatization disease; it has no known cure!<br /><br /><br />PS:<br />Being Lebanese, here is a list of my favorite Lebanese Blogs:<br />http://beirutntsc.blogspot.com/: don’t agree with him on many issues, but very well written and entertaining<br />www.bloggingbeirut.com/: great pictures and videos. The king of Lebanese blogs (in number of visits)<br />http://mayazankoul.com/: a must see<br />http://www.hummusnation.net/: very ironic<br />www.beirutbeltway.com/: An immigrants perspective<br />www.michaelyoungscolumns.blogspot.com/: if you like politics<br />http://www.arabdemocracy.com/ : Not really Lebanese, but very interestingJihad Bitarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00818672857741399406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389311240702828001.post-80981983028696823952009-09-21T02:20:00.001-07:002009-09-21T02:20:57.577-07:00Syria plans to launch a news TV channelAl-Quds al-Arabi has learnt that a serious proposal has emerged in Syria about launching an official Syrian satellite news channel, which will be part of the radio and television corporation channels that are under the direct control of the leadership in Damascus.<br /><br />If things go as planned without any media or political obstacles, the expected channel might be launched within one and a half to two years. It will constitute a Syrian political window on the world with a discourse meant to be different from that of other official Syrian media institutions.<br /><br />A higher committee composed of public figures from the Syrian Information Ministry and the Radio and Television Corporation has been formed to lay down the broad lines and undertake a feasibility study of the planned channel.<br /><br />Dr Mumtaz al-Shaykh, director-general of the Syrian Radio and Television Corporation, stressed to Al-Quds al-Arabi that the recently created news centre, which is part of "mablicon [name as transliterated]," is intended to be the basis of the news channel that Syria wants to establish. He added that 90 per cent of the technical requirements of the launching of this channel are secured, and what remains is just linking it to one of the existing satellites.<br /><br />With regard to the human resources, Dr Al-Shaykh affirmed that the staff to operate this channel will be selected and trained before it is launched. It includes technicians, editors, broadcasters and correspondents. This will be done with the help of international institutions that have great expertise in satellite television training. He emphasized that it is hoped that this channel will compete with the most outstanding existing news channels.<br /><br />If the project is completed and the channel is launched, experts expect the latter to play a major role in marketing the Syrian discourse worldwide. In this connection, Syria terribly lost the media war that erupted in the wake of the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri, and its information then seemed confused and weak in the face of the cruel attacks on the part of a range of information media supporting the 14 March team, as well as the Saudi and Egyptian government media.<br /><br />This prompted Syria to review its calculations regarding the media, and to prepare adequate ground for an official information service that will be much stronger in the event of future confrontations that can happen at any time.<br /><br />Al-Quds al-Arabi has learned that, before launching the satellite channel in question, and even before starting preparations for its launch, there was a conviction of the need for a large political margin to be made available in choosing the substance of the news, especially that concerning the domestic political situation. Also, the fact that there exist opinions that are different from ours should be accepted, and this should be reflected in the various newscasts of the channel in question. Moreover, there should not be any waiting for higher directives to come from here or there before broadcasting a report, and, similarly, assertions by the official news agency, SANA [Syrian Arab News Agency], should not be taken for granted.<br /><br />Most importantly, it should be accepted that the channel's work and discourse might not be to the liking of all the decisionmaking partisan, political and security circles in Syria. Thus, the channel should be free from the need for a consensus and the approval of these circles.<br /><br />According to information received by Al-Quds al-Arabi, the construction and operational cost of the channel in question could reach 1 billion Syrian lira (22m dollars). The Syrian leadership is prepared to pay this cost, and even more, if the channel fulfils all its objectives.<br /><br />Quoting official circles, some make comments to the effect that the Syrian media discourse is not keeping abreast of the political and diplomatic moves of the Syrian leadership. They affirm that, while no one knows the essential reason for this situation, everybody knows its remote causes.Jihad Bitarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00818672857741399406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389311240702828001.post-70782095224853486732009-09-16T01:08:00.000-07:002009-09-16T01:27:53.265-07:00Lebanese bloggers meetThanks to RFI's (Radio France Internationale) Philippe Couve and Rue89.com Pierre Haski, a meeting was held yesterday ion Beirut with a number of Lebanese bloggers.<br /><br />It was great, discussions included blogger freedom, why the number of bloggers decreased after the 2006 war etc..<br /><br />Thks to RFI and everyone's contributions!Jihad Bitarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00818672857741399406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389311240702828001.post-9771620526201873562009-09-02T07:00:00.000-07:002009-09-02T07:07:49.840-07:00Murdoch 's move into the Arab worldThe Wall Street Journal reported today that Rupert Murdoch - the Australian media mogul (owner amongst other things of the Fox channels and a large number of US/UK and Australian tabloids) is negotiating with Walid Ben Talal to acquire 20% stake in Rotana Media Group (Rotana Channels + LBC Sat etc...)<br /><br />Rotana is already the owner/manager of Fox Middle East (Fox Series and Fox Movies) <br /><br />This come sin light of various rumors saying that Walid Ben Talal has lost a lot of money...and is in big need for fresh cash.<br /><br />The interesting thing will be how Murdoch's entry into the Arab world will be perceived (his media were Georges Bush's best support...) expect some problems....Jihad Bitarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00818672857741399406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389311240702828001.post-59478335850975687852009-08-25T02:02:00.000-07:002009-08-25T02:44:11.300-07:00Something is changing in Saudi mediaSaudi Minister of Information - Mr. Khoja - is starting to put his "reformist" touch to Saudi TV - and I am not talking about religious changes - but modernizing Saudi TV.<br /><br />The first step was KSA 1's partnering with major media groups such as MBC.<br /><br />The second step will be corporatizing Saudi TV: Instead of it being a department within the Ministry of Information, a company (fully Government owned) will be formed to run the Saudi channels. <br />This should bring about modernizing the processes, the organization and why not later on introducing advertisements...(to see)<br /><br />This Government owned company, is exactly what Dubai and Abu Dhabi governments have successfully done:<br />- Dubai Media Inc<br />- Abu Dhabi Media Company<br /><br />I'll be watching these changes and will keep you updated.<br /><br />This modernization should also be read in light of the "crackdown" the Saudi Government has done on Saudi owned - but private - channels: such as the LBC Sat case (cf: my previous posts) Is Mr. Khoja playing a great equilibrium game? (give some there, to gain somewhere else???) Whatever the case, Mr. Khoja seems to be the right man for modernizing the Saudi TV!Jihad Bitarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00818672857741399406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389311240702828001.post-83171835522274608762009-08-19T02:37:00.000-07:002009-08-19T02:39:42.763-07:00Saudi Men Watch too much TV<strong></strong><!-- Article Start --> <div id="width"><div id="content-main" class="topmargin10 left lheight20"><p><strong>Saudi males are lazy, eat too much junk food and spend too much time in front of the television, an Arab health and nutrition expert has said.</strong><br /><br />Dr Abdullah Musaiqir, head of the Arab Centre for Nutrition, warned of increasing obesity in the Gulf states, and particularly Saudi Arabia, and cited a Saudi study showing that more than 53 percent of Saudi males live a “lethargic lifestyle”.<br /><br />Only 20 percent of Saudi males were described as leading a healthy lifestyle and engaging in activities that helped keep them in good physical shape, reported Saudi Gazette on Wednesday. </p><noscript></noscript><!-- end ad tag --> <a href="http://www.arabianbusiness.com/interstitial.php?wURI=&wAd=206720516&wTime=60000" onclick="setInterstitial('reset', 32)" ohref="" name="continueArticle"></a><p class="topmargin15">Twenty seven percent were described by the study as having a “partially active” lifestyle, Musaiqir told the paper.<br /><br />Parents, he said, should cut down on TV watching time for both themselves and their children, and to remove television sets from dining rooms and bedrooms.<br /><br />Musaiqir said the first steps towards promoting a healthier lifestyle should come with awareness programmes conducted throughout the Gulf with media involvement, and that school and university curricula should be improved to address issues of nutrition and public health. </p></div></div><br /><br />(from <a href="http://www.arabianbusiness.com/">http://www.arabianbusiness.com</a>)Jihad Bitarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00818672857741399406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389311240702828001.post-54530757391114508032009-08-17T04:52:00.000-07:002009-08-17T04:56:16.437-07:00HD TV coming to the Arab worldHigh Definition TV (HDTV) will soon be a reality in the Arab world.<br /><br />Abu Dhabi TV announced that it will start broadcasting in the UAE its new Abu Dhabi HD channel. programs will initially feature documentaries and sports with some movies it seems.<br /><br />This is a big step in the Arab media scene. But we are still along way to go for TV channels to invest in HD equipment, and for users to have access to the technology. But gotta start somewhere!!!Jihad Bitarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00818672857741399406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389311240702828001.post-62659571115314457952009-08-12T23:49:00.000-07:002009-08-13T00:06:19.688-07:00LBC Sat and Saudi Arabia: the sex scandalAs most of the readers of this blog know by now, LBC Sat's office in Jeddah has been closed by the Saudi Ministry of Information and Culture. This happened after LBC's "Ahmar Bil Khat Al Arid" showed the "confession" of a Saudi man, recalling how he had numerous sexual encounters with many Saudi women. The witness, explained how to pick up Saudi women using Bluetooth etc...<br /><br />The interesting thing is LBC Sat's reaction. Silence (what can they say, they rely on Saudi ad money and LBC Sat is partly owned by Saudi prince Walid Bin Talal),and most unexpectedly... reruns!<br /><br />Indeed, LBC Sat has been rerunning a 3-4 month old interview with Saudi Minister of Information and Culture, Abdel Aziz Khoja, where he proclaims how he wants to work with private owned Satellite channels (such as LBC Sat) and how the freedom of these channels is good for Saudi Arabia.<br /><br />That said, the interview itself is quite interesting. Mr. Khoja is very candid and talks openly about the media, internet, freedom, Saudi problems etc...Jihad Bitarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00818672857741399406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389311240702828001.post-51540056860105905902009-07-24T22:26:00.000-07:002009-07-24T22:29:36.875-07:00China's Arabic TVChina's CCTV will start today (Saturday 25th July) its Arabic language broadcasting. The channel aims at "enhancing China's image in the Middle East"<br /><br />This comes after CCTV's English, French and Spanish services.Jihad Bitarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00818672857741399406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389311240702828001.post-61504793372676035412009-07-01T22:32:00.000-07:002009-07-01T22:40:33.566-07:00Jordan and the Media TaxJordan's government was planning to cancel a media tax on advertising revenues (currently set at 5%). The Senate Education Committee rejected this cancellation and proposed lowering the tax to 1% of ad revenues.<br />The Senate has now to approve this change.Jihad Bitarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00818672857741399406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389311240702828001.post-3923791963117615352009-06-15T23:43:00.001-07:002009-06-15T23:45:40.783-07:00LAST MINUTE: Arabiya in Iran closedLAST MINUTE:<div><br /></div><div>Iranian authorities closed this morning Al Arabiya's office in Teheran. This happened as internal fighting is happening in the Iranian capital over the contested presidential elections (Ahmadinejad vs. Moussavi)</div>Jihad Bitarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00818672857741399406noreply@blogger.com