I Heart Local Music
Muslim TV? Hardly.
Posted Monday, November 19, 2007 - 1 comment
In case you couldn't tell by the sweet funky name, I'm an Arab. Half, actually. But still, I spent 11 years growing up in Saudi Arabia (I'm not from there), so I know a thing or two. A few of those years were spent hopping between the U.S. and the Middle East during the first gulf war.
Imagine my outrage when I saw this.
Like I said, I'm only half Arab, and I was only there for half the war. But here is what I perceived, as a child and young adolescent growing up in the Middle East.
War happens
Arabs worry
Arabs turn to CNN for all the updates
In order to get CNN, Arabs get the satellite dishes
The dishes bring baggage, that includes MTV
Young Arabs see MTV, think that's what really goes down in America (even though you and I both know that is NOT what Americans are like)
Some Arabs view Westernization as a threat to their culture
Now, once again, this is just what I perceived as a young girl growing up. We did not have satellite dishes. But all our friends did. Therefore, they were much cooler than us. Nonetheless, some Saudis viewed Westernization as a threat, and I even remember rumors going around about satellite dishes being knocked down, some by Saudis, some by the "fake police." (That's a whole other can of worms I don't want to get into right now.)
Needless to say, MTV (well, MTV India) did not sit well with the Middle East.
And if you read the article, the goal is that "hip-hop and reality television tailored and sanitized for a more conservative Middle East will draw young Arabs away from dozens of locally produced music video channels that already dominate the market."
That is just RIDICULOUS!!!
You know I'm a sucker for all things local (hence the blog title). The Middle East should be very proud of the locally produced music video channels they already have. For one simple reason. They're locally produced. It's their music videos. It's what they want to watch, not what other countries think they should watch. (Gives a whole new meaning to MY MTV, don't ya think?)
The MTV invasion will bring nothing but trouble, I assure you. I've already seen this happen once before, I don't imagine the people will take too well to it again.
Or maybe, just maybe.... the Arabs are crazy about "I Love New York." Yes, that's exactly what they want. A skanky wannabe actress screeching about the t.v.
Hmm.... skanky New York.... or hot Arab belly dancer....
I'm not too worried. They'll probably make the right choice.
This video was added to the blog on November 20th
I can't even begin to tell you all the things that are wrong with this promo for MTV Arabia:
Comments
Nov. 19, 2007 at 6:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)fruzik (Fally Afani Ruzik)
Note: Yes, I know "I love New York" is a VH1 show, but VH1 and MTV are run by the same company.
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