Barriers to the Broad Dissemination of Creative Works in the Arab World

by Schwartz, Lowell H.; Helmus, Todd C.; Kaye, Dalia Dassa; Oweidat, Nadia

• ISBN13: 9780833047304
• ISBN10: 0833047302
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-09-16
• Publisher: RAND Corporation

Summary

A growing body of creative works by Arab authors and artists counters the intellectual and ideological underpinnings of violent extremism. Unfortunately, many of these works are not widely disseminated, marginalizing the influence of these alternative voices. This monograph examines the barriers to the broad dissemination of such works, with a focus on Arabic literature, and suggests ways to overcome these barriers.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. iii
Figure	p. vii
Summary	p. ix
Acknowledgments	p. xiii
Abbreviations	p. xv
Introduction	p. 1
Barriers to the Distribution of Media Products in the Middle East	p. 3
Censorship	p. 4
Market	p. 7
Distribution	p. 11
Learning from History: The Cold War Experience	p. 17
Organization of Government Efforts	p. 18
Targeted Audience	p. 20
Strategy and Themes	p. 22
Selection of Works	p. 24
Distribution of Works	p. 26
Relevant Lessons for the Middle East	p. 29
Policy Recommendations	p. 31
Overcoming Censorship	p. 31
Make Censorship a Consistent Agenda Item in Bilateral Dialogue with Regional Allies	p. 31
Work with European Interlocutors to Promote Constructive-Themed Works, Such as Through International Book Fairs	p. 32
Assist Individuals in Obtaining Banned Works through Person-to-Person Distribution and Internet Publishing	p. 32
Expanding the Market	p. 33
Support Education Reform and Promote Literacy	p. 33
Promote Specific Authors abroad and in Their Native Countries	p. 33
Promote Arab Literature Prizes	p. 34
Convert or Adapt Printed Material with Constructive Themes into Other Media with Broader Audiences	p. 34
Improving Distribution	p. 35
Assist in the Expansion of Libraries and Bookstores	p. 35
Use the Internet to Increase Access to Books	p. 35
Bibliography	p. 37
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