The character of the media in the region is changing rapidly. Dr. Mowlana drew attention to the dramatic rise of corporate media in the region with controlling interest in the hands of several Saudi princes. Finally, Dr. Mowlana commented on the spread of media education in the region, among both consumers and producers. Jon Alterman Dr. Alterman s presentation began with a description of the different kinds of media in the Arab world and their requisite funding. Newspapers Newspapers can be desktop published, so they are a cheap form of communication.
Distribution is more difficult for newspapers than for other types of media.
Still, according to Dr. Alterman, a newspaper operation can be effective for a few million dollars per year. Satellite television Dr. Alterman noted that it is very expensive to maintain correspondents around the world, produce programming, rent transponder space, etc. Internet Information on the internet is very cheap to produce. However, the costs are shifted to the consumers. Dr. Alterman questioned.