At the same time, some countries have initiated efforts to develop Arabic Web content. In this regard, Microsoft is working on translation technology that would make
the Arabic language more accessible to Internet users, as part of Qatar’s Supreme Council for Information and Communication Technology’s initiative to develop more Web
sites with Arabic content. 3
The number of Internet users is likely to continue to rise, especially with the
introduction of technologies that overcome poor information and communication
technology (ICT) infrastructure that hinders Internet access in the region. WiMAX,
for example, was commercially available by the end of March 2009 in Algeria, Bahrain,
Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia, while operators in other parts of the region
have started testing the service. 4 Additionally, broadband markets are growing fast in
Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia, and commercial 3G mobile services have been
launched in Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Sudan, Syria, and Tunisia. 5
Demographic factors are also expected to contribute to the growth of the Internet
population. Arab Media Outlook, 2008–2012 states, ‘‘Digital media will thrive in the
Arab market because the market has a large, technologically accomplished demographic group—its youth—who are comfortable with it and will customize it to their
own requirements.’’ The report also revealed that ‘‘over 50% of the population in
Yemen, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Morocco and Egypt are estimated to be currently
less than 25 years old, while in the rest of the countries the under-25, ‘net generation’
makes up around 35% to 47% of total population.’’ 6
Liberalization of telecommunications markets has already taken place in several Arab
countries. Most of the incumbent telecom companies in North Africa are already in
private hands, with the exception of Alge ´rie Te ´le ´com, the privatization of which has
been postponed because of the global economic crisis. 7 However, experts say telecom
liberalization in the Middle East and North Africa still lags behind the rest of the world
in terms of cost and efficiency, a matter which does not encourage direct foreign
investment. 8
The Media Environment
The Middle East and North Africa is one of the most heavily censored regions in the
world. Human rights watchdogs and free speech advocacy groups continue to criticize
the media restrictions and repressive legal regimes, and over the past few years, a great
number of bloggers and cyber dissidents have been jailed.
In April 2009, the International Federation of Journalists called for a radical overhaul
of media laws in the Middle East, stating that the laws in most of the region’s countries
still permit the jailing of journalists for undermining the reputation of the state, the
president, the monarch, or religion. Such laws have often been used to suppress report524
MENA Overview
the Arabic language more accessible to Internet users, as part of Qatar’s Supreme Council for Information and Communication Technology’s initiative to develop more Web
sites with Arabic content. 3
The number of Internet users is likely to continue to rise, especially with the
introduction of technologies that overcome poor information and communication
technology (ICT) infrastructure that hinders Internet access in the region. WiMAX,
for example, was commercially available by the end of March 2009 in Algeria, Bahrain,
Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia, while operators in other parts of the region
have started testing the service. 4 Additionally, broadband markets are growing fast in
Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia, and commercial 3G mobile services have been
launched in Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Sudan, Syria, and Tunisia. 5
Demographic factors are also expected to contribute to the growth of the Internet
population. Arab Media Outlook, 2008–2012 states, ‘‘Digital media will thrive in the
Arab market because the market has a large, technologically accomplished demographic group—its youth—who are comfortable with it and will customize it to their
own requirements.’’ The report also revealed that ‘‘over 50% of the population in
Yemen, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Morocco and Egypt are estimated to be currently
less than 25 years old, while in the rest of the countries the under-25, ‘net generation’
makes up around 35% to 47% of total population.’’ 6
Liberalization of telecommunications markets has already taken place in several Arab
countries. Most of the incumbent telecom companies in North Africa are already in
private hands, with the exception of Alge ´rie Te ´le ´com, the privatization of which has
been postponed because of the global economic crisis. 7 However, experts say telecom
liberalization in the Middle East and North Africa still lags behind the rest of the world
in terms of cost and efficiency, a matter which does not encourage direct foreign
investment. 8
The Media Environment
The Middle East and North Africa is one of the most heavily censored regions in the
world. Human rights watchdogs and free speech advocacy groups continue to criticize
the media restrictions and repressive legal regimes, and over the past few years, a great
number of bloggers and cyber dissidents have been jailed.
In April 2009, the International Federation of Journalists called for a radical overhaul
of media laws in the Middle East, stating that the laws in most of the region’s countries
still permit the jailing of journalists for undermining the reputation of the state, the
president, the monarch, or religion. Such laws have often been used to suppress report524
MENA Overview