MyAdhan Blog

Link: New Media: Why do Arab Governments Remain Silent?

The mobile phone is one of the most dangerous new players in the field. In its third generation, one can now watch television broadcasts via a mobile phone to the extent that television channels have been launched specifically to offer this mobile phone service in order to benefit from the revenue of SMS text messages, some of which have exceeded the profits of commercial advertisements. Some mobile phone companies have become major players within the media, however the question that puzzles media figures is: Why have governments remained unusually silent? They are similar to people who try to keep out the water that is held by the dam with the use of one finger. The dam is about to collapse and they know that. We should also look at the financial aspect that prompts governments to remain silent and be patient regarding new media services despite the criticisms and anger expressed via SMS messages, websites and e-mails. The main reason behind the official tolerance is the large amounts [of money] that are reaped by public mobile phone companies or private companies that finance governments with funding that now represents the second [largest] source of income after oil, such as in the Gulf states.