Political Media and Public Discourse

(gahag.net, 2018)

Political and Public Discourse

A benefit that is often overlooked in Kuwait is that Kuwait's journalistic coverage is quoted as having “press freedom” and “most liberal press in the Arab World and North Africa” (Odine, 2011). This not only allows the clear openness towards the journalistic setting but is also an aid towards the citizens to be able to openly vent out frustrations or practice peaceful protests. This might seem standard for Kuwaiti citizens this is sadly not the same in neighboring countries such as the UAE which does not allow the assembly of people even in peaceful protests (United States Department of State, 2023).

Real-Life Examples

(Kuna.net.kw, 2016)

Palestine Protests

An example we can see currently is with the Palestine protests being held. The media not only is able to cover them in detail, the citizens also do not have a threat of retaliation from peaceful protests. Additionally since Kuwait does have "press freedom" it has allowed the younger generation to also educate themselves on this topic. An issue other countres face with the silencing of media is that the truth is often controlled and fed which does not help in complex and gray situations. (Kuna.net.kw, 2016).

(AFP, 2023)

Womens Right to Vote

A bill was in place that should have allowed women to vote in 1973, however, it did not hold up. A back-and-forth had been ongoing up until 2005. Due to the nature of traditional media at the time it was harder to gather backing and support for the movement. (Anon, n.d.) A key turning point was during the Iraq war in Kuwait, when many women were forced to take up more prominent roles such as in hospitals or smuggling, the documentation through newspapers and distribution of videos/broadcasts and interviews (example shown below) helped support the women's suffrage movement.

An example of media aiding the Women's suffrage movement

A radio Interview with my grandmother Narjis Qabazard, a member of the Kuwaiti resistance during the Iraq war responsible for helping many Kuwaiti citizens escape at that time. (360FM, 2017). Interviews like these helped empower women and help break down shackles placed on them such as the right to vote. Without such powerful testiments being documented many of their efforts or accomplishments may not have been rewarded or acknowledged as they do today which is in big part due to the media coverage recorded and presented.

ScreenRecording_12-25-2024 17-42-50_1.mov

Contents of the interview in English:

In summary, the interview clip focused on how Narjis was responsible for helping people hide from Iraqi forces such as a doctor from the Behbehani family and some members of the Al-Sabah family (the ruling family of Kuwait). Narjis explained how the doctor brought in was suffering from MS (Multiple sclerosis) which is a chronic disease in the nervous system meaning it was hard to move around. She took in people into her house whether in the spare rooms, basement, kitchen, or anywhere they would fit. In total, she was hosting over 40 people other than her own daughters and sisters. At her own risk, she also allowed meetings often from Kuwaiti resistance to take place in her basement while providing food, water, and shelter.

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