Media Sustainability Index (MSI) - Middle East & North Africa (MENA)

Media Sustainability Index 2006/2007

Introduction

I am pleased to introduce the 2006/2007 Media Sustainability Index (MSI) for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), the second such study of 18 countries from Morocco to Iran. This edition of the MSI provides an analysis of the media sector based on events occurring in the latter part of 2006 through 2007.

The MSI was first conceived in 2000 and launched in Europe and Eurasia in 2001, in cooperation with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Since that time, it has become a universally recognized reference for benchmarking and assessing changes in media systems across Europe and Eurasia, the MENA region, and, for the first time this year, Africa. In addition to support from USAID, the Middle East and North Africa edition also received the generous support of the US State Department’s Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) and UNESCO.

Policymakers, development specialists, and professionals in developing countries increasingly recognize media as a key element of the development agenda. The MSI is designed to assist policymakers and implementers by analyzing the various elements of a media system and pointing to areas where assistance can be most effective in developing a sustainable and professional media system.

The MSI should also be seen as an important tool for the media and media advocates in each country, as it reflects the expert opinions of local media professionals. We encourage local media professionals to use the MSI to continue their vital efforts at developing independent and sustainable media.

IREX would like to thank all those who contributed to the publication of the MENA MSI for 2006/2007. Participants, moderators, authors, and observers for each country, listed after each chapter, provided the primary analysis for this project. At IREX, Leon Morse managed the MSI with administrative assistance from Blake Saville. Drusilla Menaker, Mark Whitehouse, and Christine Prince provided editorial and other assistance. IREX staff in the region provided important logistical support and guidance. USAID and the US State Department’s MEPI program have been consistent supporters of the MSI, helping to develop the project and ensure its ongoing implementation. In particular, IREX would like to thank Mark Koenig at USAID and Saira Saeed at the US State Department for their invaluable guidance and support of the MENA MSI.

We hope you will find this report useful, and we welcome any feedback.

Sincerely,

Mark Whitehouse
Director, Media Development, IREX