Copyright © 2006 ِAli Darwish. All Rights Reserved.

A Cultural Semiotic of Women's Presence in Arabic Satellite Television: Translating Fantasies into Virtual Reality

Ali Darwish
Central Queensland University
1 June 2006

ABSTRACT

The widespread of Arabic satellite television has seen women assume significant roles in both entertainment and news and current affairs programs in the Arab world. These new glamorous roles are seen by various commentators as a new and revolutionary form of women’s liberation in the Arab world and a breakthrough in the emancipation of Arab women. This paper argues that these assumptions are false and Arabic satellite television is simply translating men’s fantasies into virtual reality.

This paper examines female representation in news and current affairs programs at Arabic satellite television and argues that Arabic media far from being an act of empowerment, is further entrenching female exploitation in this visual medium.

Conference paper. The 15th annual conference of The Asian Media Information and Communication Centre (AMIC), Penang, Malaysia, 17th Jul, 2006 - 20th Jul, 2006.