More than a Parrot The Case of Saudi Women Journalists

Abstract

This article closely examines the status of female Saudi journalists and the development of their professional role that began in women's magazines, and now is more pronounced on satellite TV channels. The article discusses this development in light of the notion of empowerment, which is loosely defined as a process of change. Despite the abundant opportunities for female Saudi journalists, particularly those working as TV presenters, their presence, as I argue here, is still conjured and superficial rather than a reflection of genuine change in women's status inside the kingdom. Thus, it is difficult to measure female empowerment in the media field, unless we consider the particularity of the Saudi context by taking into account the different circumstances that Saudi women deal with inside and outside the Saudi Kingdom.