Press freedom and political instability in the Arab world: An empirical investigation. (1st April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hamada, Basyouni Ibrahim
• Is Part Of: Journal of Arab & Muslim media research. Volume 12:Number 1(2019)
• Page Start: 21
• Page End: 41
• Publication Date: 2019-04-01
• Subjects: Mass media -- Periodicals; Mass media -- Arab countries -- Periodicals; Communication -- Arab countries -- Periodicals; Islam -- Periodicals; 302.23089927
• DOI: 10.1386/jammr.12.1.21_1
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1751-9411

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to empirically test the effect of press freedom on political instability in a sample of fifteen Arab countries for the 2006–15 period. Statistical analysis offers a significant effect of press freedom on political instability. However, when democracy, GDP annual growth and GDP per capita annual growth are taken into account, a fragile mixed positive and negative effect exists. Yet, the findings emphasize a significant interaction effect of press freedom and freedom on political instability. An interesting result is that Arab Spring has not positively affected the relationship between press freedom and political instability.