Author: youse.4

Information Network Final Draft – United Arab Emirates الإمارات العربية المتحدة

Information Network Final Draft

United Arab Emirates الإمارات العربية المتحدة

Traditional Media Source 1:

•The Associated Press

•https://www.ap.org/about/

•Country of Origin: USA

•Language: English (Several Translations including Arabic)

•News: This media source is a traditional international news broadcast media source modeled as a not-for-profit, stationed out of NY, USA. Retaining a high production, value, integrity and clarity of information. Reporting from over 100 countries and 263 different locations across the globe and prominently awarded (52 Pulitzer Prizes) as one of the most unbiased news sources for current events with in-depth news coverage possible with further research through the featured news stories.

•Accessible through the link provided above. (Open/Public)

•Media is updated on a Live/Hourly/Daily timeline with a variety of media formats such as articles, videos (including VR), etc.

•I will check this source weekly to see the latest “top-featured” broadcasts and stories to get a better overall consensus of current events within the UAE

•I selected this media news source due to the previous experience and reliability I have felt in it’s reporting nature as well as its supporting multiple translations of news stories. Such translations include their Arabic News Service which provides 100 items/day translated from source material published by the AP while focusing the content toward Middle Eastern events/subject matter. Click for more on their International Text Services.

Traditional Media Source 2:

•BBC News

•http://www.bbc.com/news 

•Country of Origin: The United Kingdom

•Language: English (Several Translations including Arabic)

•News/Entertainment/Data: Similarities exist between the Associated Press and the BBC in terms of content. However, with the added component of the United Kingdom’s government in collaboration with the sponsorship provides a layer of bias that enables a component of government transparency and solidarity with the public. This is a unique component to their nature as a broadcasting/news source that should be exemplified more widely.

•Accessible through the link provided above. With open information to the public maintaining/providing a fair level to consumer, there is a subscription component that enables more features such as live broadcasts etc. to incentivize not only revenue collection but also a member response/vote system on what types of media they would wish to change/improve.

•Media is updated on a Free – Daily, Subscription – Live basis.

•The transparency/bias that I previously described is a large component as well as the high production value of all of the content produced by the BBC. I will check this with regular similarity to the AP in order to get multiple viewpoints on specific international events within the UAE. Additionally, I believe referring to news presented by a peer ‘Western’ nation, may give a different perspective regarding economic and diplomatic criteria about the United Arab Emirates.

•My experience with this news source began with a simple amusement with their entertainment, specifically their popular car show ‘Top Gear,’ and the jokes and references citing other shows/publications within the BBC contained within the show prompted me to do further research on certain events.

Traditional Media Source 3:

•The National

•https://www.thenational.ae/international

•Country of Origin: The United Arab Emirates

•Language: Arabic & English (Several Alternative Translations)

•News/Data/Religion/Representation/Community Resource: Considering the current socio-political environment around the globe, it is ever more important for regions rich in natural resources or economic power to remain transparent with their business partners/political allies. For fear of alienation leading to resentment by less well off nations, The National recognizes this importance and embraces a role of translating (including Arabic and English) its issues within the region of the Middle East and more specifically the UAE, while identifying stories from beyond its borders into a concise system of reporting. With it’s well organized site, and digital subscription platform of a traditionally modeled newspaper, The National reaches access of 10 million page views per month from within and without the region/country.

•Accessible through the link provided above. Information is open access to the public with a subscription model and ‘relevant’ business and consumer advertising to maintain a uncluttered presentation of news reports.

•Media is updated on a Free – Daily, Live, and subscription basis. Such PDF products and their respective translations are downloadable through any smartphone.

•This organization is committed to its customers being presented with accurate information from around the country and beyond through the perspectives that would make the events and information relatable and comprehensive to it’s local readership first and foremost. This perspective is largely why I chose this source because I often see translated news taking the perspective/influence of western cultures where this represents the Middle Eastern regions well. Additionally The National seems to not inundate its website visitors or subscribers with clutter or non-intuitive software/layout, which lends itself toward being considered more professional compared to its tabloid filled counterparts.

•Through my research on The UAE’s official governmental website regarding the political cabinet and policies of the nation (https://uaecabinet.ae/en/details/news/uae-cabinet-approves-national-tolerance-program or https://government.ae/en/media/media) I have a better understanding of how restrictive the broadcast of news and other information within the country can be at times. I have attempted to remain unbiased in my research and have sought out the best of resources available to me and The National is by far the superior Traditional news/media outlet in the UAE.

New Media Source 1:

•Global Voices

•https://globalvoices.org 

•Country of Origin: Netherlands

•Language: English (Languages of information depends on source, several translations are available depending on information comprising the articles)

•News with Social Media component: Both professional and user based articles, varying in quality depending on the specific work/author. Thorough work can be found through this site and UAE members/citizens can leak their own personal news broadcasts through now ‘illegal,’ VPN use.

•Accessible through the link provided above.

•Media is updated on a Hourly/Daily/user-timed basis. Such contributors to the site are comprised of a majority of volunteer authors, data analysts, online media experts and translators. These volunteers are not restricted by national boundaries and are therefore choose anonymity to provide their information, giving a unique (and somewhat unreliable) glimpse into regions that would otherwise restrict/punish such expressions as treasonable acts against the state. As the UAE has had a difficult past regarding Human Rights, this site provides the sometime missing link in the perspectives of it’s scorned citizenship.

•Since this was my first news source cited by the class as a rich environment for news and since has provided me with unique lessons one media/news research, I find this site engaging, while it is not of the caliber of other news sources listed here I have a strong feeling that Global Voices is a bridge between social media reporting and official news broadcasting.

New Media Source 2:

•Anti-Media

•http://theantimedia.com/ 

•Country of Origin: USA

•Language:  English, articles are material translated from outside sources aimed at USA readership

•News/Internet Radio/Podcast/Data/Anti-news Media Coverage: Anti-Media has taken a firm outspoken position against the news conglomerates that control the majority of the United State’s media coverage. This media site is a rich resource for alternative news that seeks to expose it’s perceived ‘repressed’ truth. I have especially appreciated it’s incorporation of multiple viewpoints broken down by categories including “our news, their news, my news.” This news outlet regards multiple perspectives as valid and vouches for the personal and unbiased approaches to news presentation. By not only covering the main events of the globe but also seeking out the stories that are neglected by the US’s main news outlets, this site renders a unique perspective toward international media consumption by those who live within the US. Since the US’s media consumption is very centrally focused, this site challenges the status quo and attempts to widen the scope of it’s viewers but media coverage. It has specifically chosen to cover the US’s relationship with other nations and how it’s choices affect them and their perspective of the US.

•Accessible through the link provided above. All data and articles are available thanks to donations, sponsorship and funding from a variety of users and fellow organizations that support Anti-Media’s goals.

•Media is updated on a Free – Daily, Live and subscription basis, upon utilization of the later option, users have a choice to download content directly and refer to the information at a later time, unrestricted by internet access. Users also get to respond and request news coverage over specific topics that can be submitted directly to this organization.

•Lack of significant funding and journalists/reporters, limits the capacity of this site to report on the same level of it’s perceived large conglomerate news broadcasting adversaries. However, exposure to international news and events that broaden US media consumption grants a validity to the efforts of this organization which provides further education of US citizens to cultural differences.

•I had previously utilized this news source as an alternative news, website for an introduction toward a technological communications class. With the mixed media content including conspiracy theories and learning of the granted legal rights of media news coverage outlets having the right to ‘lie’ to its consumers regarding world events there was a sufficient wealth of topics that could take advantage of both good and bad media coverage and the way you could learn to discern between them.

Social Media Source 1:

•Amnesty International

•https://twitter.com/AmnestyUAE

•Country of Origin: A wide variety of home offices comprise this international organization including Mexico, Kenya, Hong Kong, the UK, South Africa, Senegal, Lebanon, Tunisia, Jerusalem & Iran.

•Language: Arabic & English (Several Alternative Translations)

•Social media/User Response: Human Rights activity within the UAE specifically citing news sources to a multitude of different reporting agencies.

•Twitter/the link cited above.

•Media is updated on an Hourly/Daily/user timed basis.

•The UAE has had a conflicted track record with Human Rights Activism and following the social reverberations from the public through this news source that utilizes a variety of sources to report the findings and spread awareness about the

•Twitter is one of the largest social media outlets in the world and this includes the UAE with its user base have double the average activity with native Arabic speaking user interactions providing a great resource for personal accounts and perspectives.

Social Media Source 2:

•Fanack: Chronicle of the Middle East & North Africa

•https://twitter.com/fanackmena  

•https://fanack.com/united-arab-emirates/society-media-culture/uae-media/ 

•Country of Origin: The United Arab Emirates

•Language: Arabic & English (Several Alternative Translations)

•Social media/Human Rights/Radio/News/User Response & Participation: Human Rights, News, Radio and Data are combined with user perspective feedback component.

•Accessible through the link provided above. All data used for the content articles and broadcasts produced by this company are cited from internationally recognized institutions. All data and written information is provided by local correspondents and their anonymous sources which prefer to avoid persecution for sharing their perspectives and experiences.

•Media is updated on an Hourly/Daily/Live/International Publication basis.

•Established within the neutral diplomatic territory of the Netherlands during 2010, Fanack presents a wide variety of news from it’s international sources, dedicating its social media and professional sources to recording accurate data per their respective regions. Each Country has a designated portion of the website dedicated to its history, politics, economics, social issues and, more recently the state of water and energy resources across 20 countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

•Fanack’s audience focuses upon readers in the region and beyond. Younger generations are drawn to the platform and its multifaceted , aged 18 to 35. Fanack’s in-depth background files on topics as diverse as religious extremism, nuclear programs and Jewish settlements in the West Bank also attract researchers, policymakers and business people seeking objective, credible information on different aspects of life in the MENA region

•Youtube (one outlet of Fanack’s radio/television broadcasts) is one of the largest social media outlets for both professional and amateur created content ranging form entertainment, advertisement on to political activism. As is the case with Twitter the UAE’s user base is twice as active as other regions and contributes to heavily consumed media on this site and therefore further funding of channels that create heavy traffic.

Data Source 1:

•UNESCO

•https://en.unesco.org/countries/united-arab-emirates 

•Country of Origin: France

•Language: English (Several Translations including Arabic)

•News & Database: Compiles an extensive quantity of national criteria regarding countries around the globe

•Accessible through the link provided above. (Open/Public)

•Statistical Media is updated Annually through official reports and surveys.

•In collaboration with the other four sources I plan on referring to this information as I consume new information and use it to help interpret some causality behind certain events and what cultural/educational/geographical etc. variables may be at play.

•As one of our international sanctioned sources, the data rich material is a reliable source to give a clear picture of the United Arab Emirates including Arabic compatible translations.

Data Source 2:

•Global Research: Centre for Research on Globalization

•http://www.globalresearch.ca/search?q=United+Arab+Emirates&x=0&y=0

•https://www.globalresearch.ca/about-2 

•Country of Origin: Canada

•Language: English (Several Translations including Arabic)

•News/Publication/Think Tank & Database: This news and data source organization stationed out of Montreal Quebec seeks to research, catalogue and analyze the social, political and economic events of the globe. Devotion of specific characteristics of these landscapes are broken down by category  Compiles an extensive quantity of national criteria regarding countries around the globe including by region and economy.

•Accessible through the link provided above. (Open/Public)

•International Publications are sourced through this website and their release is live. Statistical Media is updated annually through official reports and surveys.

•Utilizing Global Research Publishers, will help in acquiring intellectually well founded data that will contribute to the previously aforementioned sites and help to discern sufficiently sound information.

•It is a source for well structured data analysis and contextually rich information from the regions on which they are reporting. A wide variety of publications all seek further distribution through competitive data analysis and presentation. In 2007, GR launched Spanish (Español), Portuguese (Português), and German (Deutsch) language pages, which contain translations of Global Research articles. The following year Arabic العربية, Italian, (Italiano) and Serbian (srpski) language pages were launched. A wide variety of  educational and research institutions having established. It is also utilized as a source for specialized information by journalists, politicians, financial analysts and private organizations.

Visual/Audio Source 1:

•Aljazeera

•http://www.aljazeera.com/Search/?q=United%20Arab%20Emirates 

•Country of Origin: The United Arab Emirates (one of 70 international offices)

•Language: Arabic & English (Several Alternative Translations)

•Format/Type of source it is and what type of information can be found through this source

•Accessible through the link provided above. (Open/Public)

•Media is updated on a Live/Hourly/Daily timeline with a variety of media formats such as articles, videos (including VR), etc.

•This will be my main daily news consumption resource because of its high quality free live video broadcasts that are constantly streaming with no commercial interruption with little interpretation of the material being covered.

•I chose this media source due to many other sites listing it as one of the worlds top media coverage sites and it’s unique perspective of looking from the Middle East toward the outside world and giving in depth media reporting coverage on breaking news in multiple languages beyond Arabic and English.

Visual/Audio Source 2:

•21st Century Wire

•http://21stcenturywire.com/category/middle-east/ 

•Country of Origin: USA

•Language: English

•News/Data/Articles/Podcasts

•Accessible through the link provided above. (Open/Public)

•Media is updated on a Live/Hourly/Weekly timeline with a variety of media formats such as articles, videos, including the regionally centered podcasts that are comprised of 2 hours of media content including interviews from local areas being covered.

•This media source covers both political and entertainment current events. The podcast component based on regional news such as the Middle East and events that influence the region as a collective. While the articles provided are based within the region but specifically center around nations such as the United Arab Emirates.

•I chose this media source due to it’s status of being of the top 25,000 most visited sites within existence from a large range of different viewers from around the globe and its alternative language translated media content.

GNP #6 United Arab Emirates الإمارات العربية المتحدة

Helen Abadzi, a professor from the University of Texas at Arlington told the Gulf Comparative Education Society symposium that Arabic students are not performing well. Antonie Robertson / The National

UAE schools urged to teach Arabic better as pupils lag behind in their own tongue

https://www.thenational.ae/uae/uae-schools-urged-to-teach-arabic-better-as-pupils-lag-behind-in-their-own-tongue-1.719829

This article outlines the current observations regarding the educational landscape regarding Arabic literacy. Within the United Arab Emirates a call for a restructure of the educational system has been made. Concerns have been raised regarding the subject material that is taught at specific levels. Some officials argue that despite the surveyed decline of literacy and language practice in Arabic, little has been done to correct the glaring issues within the school systems.

While the UAE prides itself on its welcoming position regarding  international business, granting zero income or  there has been a shift away from it’s Arabic language roots. A problem that Helen Abadzi,  a professor from the University of Texas at Arlington and education specialist at the World Bank for 27 years, highlights within the following statement.

“Whether you like it or not, research shows that Arabic students are not performing as well. For many, their reading of Arabic is a little slower than reading English,”

The article describes one of the greatest challenges to Arabic literacy curriculum as being the speed and retention of the characters of the Arabic language. Subtle differences between visual and linguistic skills can greatly impact the meaning of certain characters which slow reading retention by younger and under-practiced readers. A challenge that the a curriculum revision goal aims to answer by shifting technology education toward later grades and initial grade (age) groups emphasizing literacy skills.

After a meeting with held on Sunday April 1, by teachers and other educational officials at the Gulf Comparative Education Society symposium have coordinated with the Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research to set The UAE on track for a goal of ranking in the top 20 countries in PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) and the top 15 nations in TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) by year 2021. A goal that can only be achieved if significant improvements are made to the literacy comprehension of younger Arabic students within the gulf states.

UAE schools urged to teach Arabic better as pupils lag behind in their own tongue – Ramola Talwar Badam April 8, 2018; https://www.thenational.ae/uae/uae-schools-urged-to-teach-arabic-better-as-pupils-lag-behind-in-their-own-tongue-1.719829

GNP #5 United Arab Emirates الإمارات العربية المتحدة

Documentary: (Un)veiled: Muslim Women Talk About Hijab

The hijab is a form of religious attire worn by Muslim women that is ‘shrouded’ in mysticism and misconception by Western Society. This article consists of a synopsis and review of the documentary of (Un)veiled, by WNN’s Claire Panetta, an accomplished Anthropologist fluent in Arabic and English.

This 36 minute documentary and it’s subsequent review found within this article centered around the ‘hijab’s’ role and influence within the lives of several Muslim women residing within Dubai. Including a lecture held by American Professor, Dr. Laureen Hamdan, at the University of Sharjah. Containing a variety of perspectives including those who were born into the Muslim religion, converts and those that have relinquished the hijab. Several of these perspectives compare and contrast the terms of the symbolism of the hijab, while others interviewed, criticized the negative impact that they perceived by what the hijab “robbed women of a component of their identity.”

The diversity provided by so many different perspectives lends strength to the article and the filmed documentary for reception by a wide variety of viewers. Unfortunately, acquisition of this documentary is rather difficult however, individual purchases of the documentary can be found within the link below:

Documentary Educational Resources. To purchase the film: http://www.der.org/films/unveiled.html

Women News Network (WNN) ‘Documentary: (Un)veiled: Muslim Women Talk About Hijab (Review) – Claire Panetta July 7, 2017 https://womennewsnetwork.net/2011/07/07/doc-muslim-women-talk-hijab/

GNP #4 United Arab Emirates الإمارات العربية المتحدة

New York Times report says UAE adviser pushed for a private meeting between the crown prince and Donald Trump [Chris Kleponis/EPA]

According to International news agencies Aljazeera expanding upon the report initially covered by The New York Times reported this past Saturday 03/03/2018 that George Nader, a Lebanese-American advisor to the current ruler of the UAE, Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan, he has been questioned regarding the suspected influence that The United Arab Emirates has financed over the United States’ recent presidential election of Donald Trump.

The article cites the existence of memos which cites both Russian and United Arab Emirati entities seeking to purchase political favor within the Trump administration. It is unclear at this time whether or not connection between the two governments are official political entities or if they are related to one another. Such policies would be influenced in favor to the UAE and would set up a systematic and financial arrangement to give an advantage to the US-UAE trade system.

Between the two articles there was clearly purpose behind the investigation carried out by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Such evidence regarding foreign-policy would not however be the first time such negoations have occurred. According to former US deputy attorney-general Bruce Fein said “while it is not necessarily illegal for foreign governments to try to influence policy, these efforts have to be documented.”

Mark Mazzetti, David D. Kirkpatrick & Maggie Haberman, Mueller’s Focus on Adviser to Emirates Suggests Broader Investigation – New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/03/us/politics/george-nader-mueller-investigation-united-arab-emirates.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage

Aljazeera, US Investigator probes possible UAE Attempts to buy influence https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/03/investigator-probes-uae-attempts-buy-influence-180304164925122.html

GNP #3 United Arab Emirates الإمارات العربية المتحدة

From Pakistan to Dubai: Behind a migrant worker’s dream

https://www.aljazeera.com/blogs/asia/2016/05/pakistan-dubai-migrant-worker-dream-160501152116788.html

Syed Owais Ali (2 May 2016)

The glistening city of Dubai and many other large Metropoli that can be found within the Persian Gulf Arab states are the products of massive investment of fortune/finance and migrant workers from surrounding areas. Syed Owais Ali, a filmmaker from the region, gives his perspective of the life of a migrant worker, Sharif. Sharif had spent a great deal of time working within the region of Qatar, attempting to provide for his family. During this period, Syed acknowledges his perspectives and on occasion misinterpretation of the village migrant workers upon visitation of their villages.

This cinematography project is an excerpt from a larger film project of Syed’s, “No Place Like Home” . The entire project covers a larger scope of regions and migrant workers. This excerpt gives an insightful glance into the world of these migrant workers that come to these regions seeking opportunity within areas that seek expansion and further development. Without money there is no opportunity and without those in need of opportunity there can be no development/progress. Theoretically this constitutes a paradigm of equality, however reality doesn’t reflect such equality. It is important to understand the different experiences that contribute toward these ‘glistening’ empires found within the Persian Gulf. Human Rights violations and infractions of fair trade are a constant issue within these regions and to better understand people is to participate in their reality. In the words of Syed…

“Far from being a faceless, nameless number in a report, Sharif is a knowledgeable, informed participant in his own story; one driven by dreams and ambitions, just like the many other “migrant workers” whose stories, for now, remain untold.”

Citations:

From Pakistan to Dubai: A migrant Worker’s Dream, Syed Owais Ali (2 May 2016)Aljazeera – https://www.aljazeera.com/blogs/asia/2016/05/pakistan-dubai-migrant-worker-dream-160501152116788.html

GNP #2 United Arab Emirates الإمارات العربية المتحدة

United Arab Emirates: Seven Months After Completing His Sentence, Blogger Osama Al-Najjar Remains in Prison

In the more globalized and interconnected world that we find ourselves in modern day, some governments across the globe have made the politically pertinent decision to embrace an online presence in order to engage all citizens and create a forum for a discussion in order to acknowledge and interact with the will and concerns of their citizenship, within and without. This has created a unique environment for political participation, however this has also created a method for nations to seek out new methods for controlling, not only its own people but also the outward facing image.

The United Arab Emirates has, over the past few years, cultivated an excellent identity as the promising bright and enlightened beacon within the Middle East. Home to new glistening skyscrapers as well as sprawling and beautiful gardens along the coast of the Persian Gulf. Welcoming to all investors and businesses the world over self identifying as a guardian of equality and understanding of other cultures without being met with xenophobia.

However according to Global Voices Advox, which is the international human rights advocacy program which reports on censorship and free speech online. This image of the UAE is a case of smoke and mirrors. This article is written by Khalid Ibrahim, Executive Director of  The Gulf Center for Human Rights, an independent, non-profit organization that promotes freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly in the Gulf region and its neighbouring countries. It describes the conditions for which the UAE 94 have been subjected to unfair legislation and federal punishment, not excluding excessive imprisonment for transgressions against the governments ambiguously written disturbance or peace and order laws and regulations which when applied against the freedom of speech. Most significantly the son of one of these 94 human rights members by the name of Osama Al-Najjar, a social media blogger who defended his father through calling for political acknowledgement of its actions.

“Your Highness, we do not hate our country and do not forget the injustice of the oppressor even if our mothers forget it. The people responsible for imprisoning and harassing my father for the past 20 months owe him”

After which his home was raided and he was arrested and imprisoned, charged with “offending and instigating hatred against the State”, and “spreading lies” about his father, Hussain Al-Najjar. His sentence was set to end on the 17th of March 2017 and remains imprisoned due to the Public Prosecution Office’s request to the State Security Chamber of the Federal Supreme Court, which deemed Osama Al-Najjar as a current “threat”. However, due to the UN’s international laws prohibit holding citizens beyond their sentences, a large political movement is emerging and a call to reform is being organized beyond the borders of control and jurisdiction to influence outside political pressure onto the UAE. Only time will tell if true results will occur, or if the UAE will once again utilize its immense power within the petroleum industry to discourage outside political will onto their nation’s sovereignty.

Global Voices – Khalid Ibrahim, executive director of  The Gulf Center for Human Rights
Posted 3 November 2017 8:55 GMT

United Arab Emirates الإمارات العربية المتحدة – Information Network Version 1

Traditional Media Source 1:

  • The Associated Press
  • https://www.ap.org/about/
  • News: This media source is a traditional international news broadcast media source modeled as a not-for-profit, stationed out of NY, USA. Retaining a high production, value, integrity and clarity of information. Reporting from over 100 countries and 263 different locations across the globe and prominently awarded as one of the most unbiased news sources for current events with in-depth news coverage possible with further research through the featured news stories.
  • Accessible through the link provided above. (Open/Public)
  • Media is updated on a Live/Hourly/Daily timeline with a variety of media formats such as articles, videos (including VR), etc.
  • I will check this source weekly to see the latest “top-featured” broadcasts and stories to get a better overall consensus of current events within the UAE
  • I selected this media news source due to the previous experience and reliability I have felt in it’s reporting nature as well as its supporting multiple translations of news stories.

Traditional Media Source 2:

  • BBC News
  • http://www.bbc.com/news
  • News/Entertainment/Data: Similarities exist between the Associated Press and the BBC in terms of content. However, with the added component of the United Kingdom’s government in collaboration with the sponsorship provides a layer of bias that enables a component of government transparency and solidarity with the public. This is a unique component to their nature as a broadcasting/news source that should be exemplified more widely.
  • Accessible through the link provided above. (Open/Public) With open information to the public maintaining/providing a fair level to consumer, there is a subscription component that enables more features such as live broadcasts etc. to incentivize not only revenue collection but also a member response/vote system on what types of media they would wish to change/improve.
  • Media is updated on a Free – Daily, Subscription – Live basis.
  • The transparency/bias that I previously described is a large component as well as the high production value of all of the content produced by the BBC. I will check this with regular similarity to the AP in order to get multiple viewpoints on specific international events within the UAE.
  • My experience with this news source began with a simple amusement with their entertainment, specifically their popular car show ‘Top Gear,’ and the jokes and references citing other shows/publications within the BBC contained within the show prompted me to do further research on certain events.

New Media Source 1: Global Voices

  • Global Voices
  • https://globalvoices.org
  • News with Social Media component: Both professional and user based articles, varying in quality depending on the specific work/author. Thorough work can be found through this site and UAE members/citizens can leak their own personal news broadcasts through now ‘illegal,’ VPN use.
  • Accessible through the link provided above. (Open/Public)
  • Media is updated on a Hourly/Daily/user timed basis.
  • Include a detailed description of how you will incorporate monitoring these sources throughout the semester. This information must be detailed enough to convince us (your professors) that you have scheduled time during the week to check this resource.
  • Since this was my first news source cited by the class as a rich environment for news and since has provided me with unique lessons one media/news research, I find this site engaging, while it is not of the caliber of other news sources listed here I have a strong feeling that Global Voices is a bridge between social media reporting and official news broadcasting.

Social Media Source 1: Twitter/Amnesty International

  • Amnesty International
  • https://twitter.com/AmnestyUAE
  • Social media/User Response: Human Rights activity within the UAE specifically citing news sources to a multitude of different reporting agencies.
  • Twitter/the link cited above.
  • Media is updated Hourly/Daily/user timed basis.
  • The UAE has had a conflicted track record with Human Rights Activism and following the social reverberations from the public through this news source that utilizes a variety of sources to report the findings and spread awareness about the
  • Twitter is one of the largest social media outlets in the world and this includes the UAE with its user base have double the average activity with native Arabic speaking user interactions providing a great resource for personal accounts and perspectives.

Data Source 1:

  • UNESCO
  • https://en.unesco.org/countries/united-arab-emirates
  • News & Database: Compiles an extensive quantity of national criteria regarding countries around the globe
  • Accessible through the link provided above. (Open/Public)
  • Statistical Media is updated Annually through official reports and surveys.
  • In collaboration with the other four sources I plan on referring to this information as I consume new information and use it to help interpret some causality behind certain events and what cultural/educational/geographical etc. variables may be at play.
  • As one of our international sanctioned sources, the data rich material is a reliable source to give a clear picture of the United Arab Emirates including Arabic compatible translations.

Visual/Audio Source 1:

  • Aljazeera
  • http://www.aljazeera.com/Search/?q=United%20Arab%20Emirates
  • Format/Type of source it is and what type of information can be found through this source
  • Accessible through the link provided above. (Open/Public)
  • Media is updated on a Live/Hourly/Daily timeline with a variety of media formats such as articles, videos (including VR), etc.
  • This will be my main daily news consumption resource because of its high quality free live video broadcasts that are constantly streaming with no commercial interruption with little interpretation of the material being covered.
  • I chose this media source due to many other sites listing it as one of the worlds top media coverage sites and it’s unique perspective of looking from the Middle East toward the outside world and giving in depth media reporting coverage on breaking news in multiple languages beyond Arabic and English.

___________________________________________________________________

Beginning, like many others, with the OSU libraries and global sources cited throughout this course, my initial research was credible but often lacked consistent timelines in reporting from my perspective. Opting for a more interactive platform of chosen sites I have used my previous experience to help me compile other sources that are deemed widely as reliable and strong news outlet sources. I look forward to the information and data that these sources will bear for my research and will adjust as needed based on content provided over the course of next few months.

GNP #1 United Arab Emirates

Bad Laws Are Contagious: Demystifying the UAE’s New Information Tech Law

With the abolishment of Net Neutrality within The United States, other nations are making similar changes to how their citizens participate with the greater global community online. Recently the United Arab Emirates (UAE) altered a preexisting law that prohibited the use of VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) to all of it’s citizens other than use by a business enterprise (monitored to prevent misuse). This will no longer allow Universities, Private citizens and public institutions such as airports to access the internet through a VPN, thus circumventing government monitoring entities.

Use of a VPN serves many purposes such as protecting users from malicious cyber attacks and to access data beyond the governments control. Thereby forcing a legal bottleneck barrier of all the information that can flow to and from the nation. This specific law is rather vague and has many citizens and officials questioning it’s meaning and applicability. To quote the official law

“uses a fraudulent computer network protocol address (IP address) by using a false address or a third­ party address by any other means for the purpose of committing a crime or preventing its discovery.” (Federal Law No. 12/2016, Article 1, United Arab Emirates.)

While the governmental intention has claimed to be in the best interests of its people’s security and economic stability, it is hard not to interpret this as a precursor to a slippery slope of control for the future. Such Apps as the WhatsApp and Snapchat which use encryption between users which make it difficult to track information being shared. Stripping away this layer of protection from users in order to better control the population seems like a short sighted “solution” established in the name of granting more power to a government entity which it’s people must trust not to abuse. It is difficult to transition from a system free of censorship and lack of regulation to a controlled framework without feeling a loss of certain liberty.Only time will tell if further clarity will be required to enforce laws of this type or if their severity will increase or go unchallenged by the populace.

“UAE: ‘Bad Laws are Contagious: Demystifying the UAE’s New Information Tech Law’ · Global Voices.” Global Voices, 03 August. 2018,https://globalvoices.org/2016/08/03/bad-laws-are-contagious-demystifying-the-uaes-new-information-tech-law/