Arab culture as reflected by the international press

Although the interest of international newspapers in Arab culture has recently increased - as mentioned before - it does not compare to the media coverage of other - non-Arab - cultures, which may indicate that it has not been given its due in newspapers described as "global" in terms of readership, or it may reflect some bias in Western journalism towards Arab culture. Including articles on Arab culture as a subculture within other cultures indicates, on one hand, the interaction between the Western and Arab worlds, and on the other hand, the differences in editorial styles, objective challenges, and the main focus of each newspaper in covering cultural events. The diversity in cultural issues discussed regarding Arab culture, from artistic and aesthetic issues to social and scientific topics, points to a slight shift in the American public's interest in Arab culture and arts, and an increased awareness of other cultures, contributing to enhancing the global audience's understanding of other peoples' cultures and societies. From an initial perspective, this may reflect a positive change in the global press's view of Arab culture, as a result of the efforts made by Arab countries to promote culture and arts. On the other hand, it may also indicate the persistence of some stereotypical models and negative cultural biases towards the Arab world, regardless of how open global newspapers have become. Author: Randa Nassar Pages: 304 Publications: Dafa Press