They have avoided the perceived economic and political risks associated with this part of the world and local censorship. This perception was prompted largely by the onset of the Gulf War and perpetuated by the sluggish progress of the peace process and the civil strife that has plagued Lebanon. When MBC was launched in London there was a simple reason. London is credible and it is where you can get the news and broadcast it to the Arab World. It is safer now.
People are more relaxed about the idea.
You have the peace process which might happen and the whole region is moving into a better political and economic situation. It appears that the industry is now poised for a cataclysmic shift as media free zones draw media operators into the region. In varying degrees, media free zones are promising freedom of operations - including the import and export of material, tax concessions, lower productions costs and the ability to bypass labour and sponsorship laws. They are keen to capitalise on the potential economic benefits that would accompany the growth of media companies. However, there is widespread confusion following the recent announcements by Jordan, UAE, Egypt and Lebanon of plans to launch media free zones on their soil and Bahrain's declaration it will encourage investors willing to set up private television stations in the country.