Independent and pluralistic media are generally regarded as one central pillar of a democratic society. The constitutions of all countries in the Arab region stipulate the right to freedom of expression. However, “security”, “national interests” (or the “national struggle” in the Palestinian case) remain a priority on the national agendas and provide a powerful instrument to justify the suspension of rights and violation of basic freedoms. Censorship, the harassment and intimidation of journalists are widespread and constrain freedom of expression in many Arab states – though the media landscape is quite uneven in the region and legislation varies considerably. Even if no “preventive censorship” (censorship before publication) is existing, prohibitive censorship (censorship after publication) and self-censorship is harming the freedom of expression. One of the dilemmas facing Arab media is a continuous conflict between the impulse to “seek more freedom and independence” and to “preserve the national interest”.

But the Arab World saw in recent years a rapid change in the regional media sectors. The wide accessibility of the internet and the spread of satellite channels provide large parts of the societies with uncensored information in disregard for national borders. This calls for a change of the role of national media. One of the urgent questions of the coming years is how the media will take part in a positive social and political change in the Arab societies.

The Heinrich Böll Foundation’s Arab Middle East Office sees its role not only in supporting the debate on the future role of Arab media within the discourse about reform and freedom of expression but has a wider focus by (see some examples):