Media in the Middle East

Until just recently, I wasn't at all very informed about the media situation in the Middle East. Although freedoms are extremely restricted to Western standards, (as always) I have hope! There are great things happening in technology all of the time. The onset of the blog has been amazing for communication. In the article, The New Arab Conversation, ordinary people who are experiencing war can reveal what it's like from the inside. People are embracing the idea of civic journalism and feeling a call to duty of informing and communicating with others. Governments may control much of the media and use it for their own propaganda but amazingly people can find a way around that and have a voice. The problem is that internet access in many Middle East countries is still severely limited. But I believe it will only take time. The article, Musharraf's Monster, shows that independent television is trying to take a stand and make changes. New, young leaders are generally more open to freedom of speech which is promising. Examples like Dubai and the Al-Jazeera media phenomenon are examples of what I see as an inescapable advancement thanks to globalization and the movement of ideas. How long can governments keep control of these institutions before they start "biting the hand that feeds them?"