Journalism in the Grey Zone

Explains the political role of journalism in Arab countries marked by pluralist and manipulated media

Offers a fine-grained analysis of political journalism in Tunisia and Lebanon
Brings together political science and media and communication studies based on cases from the Arab region, drawing on literature in English, Arabic and French
Includes a ground-breaking account of the 2019-2020 Lebanese protests
Utilises nearly 100 face-to-face interviews with journalists, politicians and activists
Offers stimulating insights for students of Middle Eastern media and politics, built on a framework that invites comparison with other regions around the world

Lebanon and Tunisia are two of the freest countries in the Middle East and North Africa, but elites in both countries seek to manipulate media organisations and individual journalists to shore up support for themselves and attack opponents. This book explores the political role of journalism in these hybrid settings where democratic and authoritarian practices coexist a growing trend all over the world. Through interviews with journalists in different positions and analyses of key events in recent years, Journalism in the Grey Zone explains the tensions that media instrumentalisation creates in the news media and how journalists navigate conflicting pressures from powerholders and a marginalised populace. Despite 'capture' of the media by political and economic actors, journalism remains a powerful and occasionally disruptive force.