Global or Local? Arab Mediascape in the Information Age. Towards the New World Communication Order?

Maciej Klimiuk

In the contemporary world characterized by the dynamic progress of technology and easiness with which the media transcend the national boundaries, the historical communication peripheries seems to gradually disappear. Instead, we are witnessing the emergence of new regional media realities tied by, and embedded in, socio-cultural context. As different stud- ies of so-called global media clearly show their share in as well as impact on the international mediascape are marginally. In this light, it seems legitimate to put some necessary questions about a validity of the concept of global media village built upon a historical com- munication hegemony of the West. It is also clear that the recent launch of the BBC Arabic Television will not influence the Arab media environment in such an extent as CNN did it in the region in early 90s. What has changed in the Arab mediascape in the last twenty years? Are we witnessing the emergence of new global communication order? Finally, how should we consider the new Arab media?