Media System in Saudi Arabi

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the largest Arab country of the Middle East. Saudi Arabia is located on the southeast part of the Asian continent, and can be located at 2500N and 4500E. It is estimated to have a land area of 2,240,000 sq km. Media system of Saudi Arabia is different as compared to the media system of the US or other developed countries of the world. In Saudi Arabia the royal decree and government owns the media sector in this part of the world. Here the foreign journalists have a difficult time as there is considerable restriction of movement and information. The media system of Saudi Arabia, like that of every country, is rooted in its particular history.

Print Media

Although the print media in Saudi Arabia is privately owned, the monarchy's control over what may be published is totally pervasive. There are no formal licensing procedures instead; all newspapers and periodicals in Saudi are created by royal decree.   Newspapers are privately owned but are subsidized and regulated by the government. Newspapers may only be created by royal decree. Because the Basic Law states that the media’s role is to educate and inspire national unity, most popular grievances go unreported in Saudi Arabia. In recent years, however, the government has allowed some critical stories to be written by selected journalists. Although self-censorship continues to be a method of self-preservation for the nation’s media outlets, government censorship seems to be decreasing, especially on journalistic inquiries into crime and terrorism.

  The first newspaper of Saudi Arabia was “al Hijaz” which was published in 1908. There are 13 dailies which are being published in both English and Arabic language and 200 non dailies. Ar-Riyadh, Al-Jazirah and Riyadh Daily are the leading papers in Saudi Arabia. In 1992 a total of ten daily newspapers, all privately owned, were published in Saudi Arabia. Seven were printed in Arabic and three in English. The most widely read Arabic dailies were Ar Riyadh (circulation estimated at 140,000), published in Riyadh, and Al Jazirah (circulation 90,000), and published in Jiddah. Smaller-circulation papers were published in both cities. The cities of Ad Dammam, Mecca, and Medina also had daily newspapers. All three English-language dailies were published in Jiddah. The largest of these was Arab News with an estimated circulation of 110,000. The smaller Saudi Gazette (circulation 17,400) and Saudi News (circulation 5,000) were specialized publications that emphasized economic news and press releases from the state-owned Saudi Press Agency. In addition to the daily papers, there were fourteen weekly magazines, of which eight were published in Arabic and six in English, and twelve periodicals.

The press in Saudi Arabia

    * Al-Watan - Abha-based daily

    * Al-Riyadh - Riyadh-based daily

    * Okaz - Jeddah-based daily

    * Al-Jazirah - Riyadh-based daily

    * Al-Sharq al-Awsat - Riyadh-based daily, English-language web pages

    * Arab News - Jeddah-based English-language daily

    * Saudi Gazette - Jeddah-based English-language daily

Broadcasting

The government owns and operates the radio and television companies in Saudi Arabia. Censors remove objectionable material deemed offensive by the standards of Islam, including references to pork, Christianity and other religions, alcohol, and sex. Saudi citizens, however, have greater access to previously banned television broadcasts than ever before. According to the U.S. State Department’s annual report on human rights practices, several million Saudis have satellite dishes that allow them to receive foreign television stations. There are 76 Radio stations in Saudi but only one is running successfully which is Saudi Radio. Apart from radio stations there are 146 TV station in Saudi. Saudi TV is a state run TV station which operates 4 networks, including news network Al-Zkhbariya. Recent estimates indicate there a range of four to 6.5 million radio receivers and four to five million television sets in use in Saudi. Saudi Arabia has one of the most tightly controlled media environments in the Middle East. For example, Private TV stations cannot operate from Saudi soil but the country is a major market for pan-Arab satellite and pay-TV. Saudi investors are behind some of these networks, which include Dubai-based MBC and Bahrain-based orbit. The state-run Broadcasting service of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia (BSKSA) operates almost all broad casting outlets.

Internet service In Saudi Arabia

Internet connection has been available in Saudi since 1994 but access was initially restricted to state academic, medical, and research institutions. Saudi citizens and residents with computers, modems and money were able to launch web sites on foreign servers and to purchase unauthorized Internet access through dial-up service to foreign ISPs in Bahrain, UAE, Europe and the United States. The long distance charges for the telephone calls to the foreign ISPs were, in United States dollars, $0.60-0.80 per minute to Bahrain and $1.70-$2.10 per minute to the U.S. and Europe. According to a recent survey done by Internet World Stats.com, there were 9.8 million internet users by June 2010. A comprehensive filtering regime is said to block some 400000 sites including those that tackle political social or religious issues. There are about 10000blogs in the kingdom.

Additionally, government censorship of the Internet has proved difficult. Although government officials monitor Internet sites for material deemed pornographic, politically offensive, or anti-Islamic, Saudi Internet users can gain access to most sites by simply connecting through an alternative server. The government recently created an appeals process by which citizens can request that particular websites be unblocked.

Ad Agency

Talaween Ad Agency and Esam Zainalabedin Ad Agency are the two leading Ad agencies in Saudi Arabia. Talaween Advertising Agency in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia distinct with its long experiences in the field of advertising for more than ten years, it occupies the leading position in this field through capabilities to be in touch with the consumer wherever it is available by promoting the products through adopting fast and easy ads methods.

Film and Music Industry

Saudi Music Festival in 2003

The film and music industry in Saudi Arabia is comparatively small than other Asian countries. Here only two feature films and one documentary film is released in an average. As Saudi Arabia is a very conservative country they don’t give importance to the Film industry. Keifal-Hal is Saudi Arabia’s first big budget film, which was shot in UAE and the film was lead by actress Jordanian who is the most known celebrity actress in Saudi. Some of the popular Saudi Films are Cinema 500km (2006), Dhilal alsam (2004), Keifal-Hal (2006), Three Men and women (2008). Traditional fundamentalists of Saudi Arabia believe music is sinful, but in major cities the music industry is growing by leaps and bounds. Original music is mostly done with simple rhythms because instruments were not always allowed to be used. The current music is influenced by western and traditional music such as pop music. Saudi’s most popular pop star is Abdul-Majeed Abdullah. Another famous singer, and originator of the Saudi National Anthem, is Tariq Abdul Haqim. Another influence on Saudi music is Egyptian pop music. Overall, Saudi Arabian music is influenced by MTW and VH1. Saudi traditional music is quite limited, however. The migratory lifestyle of the Bedouin militated against carrying excess baggage, including musical instruments. Simple rhythms, with the beat counted by clapping or striking together everyday implements formed the basis of the music. Instruments like the double-reeded Ney or the stringed rababa were sometimes used, after being obtained in cosmopolitan cities such as Basra, Baghdad, and Jeddah. Samri is a popular traditional music and dance. Rock music is very popular in Saudi. Some of the popular bands are The AccoLade, Sandstoned, Inversion, Immortal Pain, Rivers Running Red, etc

Impact of Globalization in Nepali Music

 Introduction

Fusion band Kutumba performing in Patan

The influence that music has throughout the world is immeasurable. Music evokes many feeling, surfaces old memories, and creates new ones all while satisfying a sense of human emotion. With the ability to help identify a culture, as well as educate countries about other cultures, music also provides for a sense of knowledge. Music can be a tool for many things: relaxation, stimulation and communication. But at the same time it can also be a tool for resistance: against parents, against police against power. Within the reign of imported culture, cross cultivation and the creation of the so-called global village lies the need to expand horizons to engulf more than just what you see everyday. It is important to note that the role of music in today’s world is a key tool in the process of globalization. However, this does not necessarily provide us with any reasons that would make us believe that music has a homogenizing affect on the world. Globalization is becoming one of the most controversial topics in today’s world. We see people arguing over the loss of a nation’s cultural identity, the terror of westernization, and the reign of cultural imperialism. In this term paper I have tried to show the influence of globalization on Nepali songs.

Nepal is a country of diverse culture and religion. Here we can find different taste of music between different cultures. Music of Nepal refers to the various musical genres and instruments of Nepal in one aspect. With more than forty ethnic diversities, the music of this country is highly dispersed. Although western genres like pop, rock, folk, and classical music exist, a huge number of such genres are yet to be cataloged. Many musical bands exist in Nepal, with a huge number located in Kathmandu - most of the recent ones focused in pop and rock. Nowadays, Nepali music is leading towards the western pattern yet there are few potential to keep the original and ethnic music. Fact that cannot be denied is the trend towards western society and civilization is taking over Nepali music. One who sees Nepali music from outside can almost declare Nepali music is almost under the line of vision. However, there are some people and organizations, which are trying to preserve the ethnicity of Nepali music to present to the world.

HISTORY OF NEPALI MUSIC

The modern history of Nepali music is a very short one. At times when big and private music companies where mushrooming the Western cities, Kathmandu got its first radio station, Radio Nepal in the year 1952. Since then Radio Nepal has expanded to become the dominant radio station all over the country, which helped in the uprising of many key figures in the field, notably Narayan Gopal, Arun Thapa, Dharma Raj Thapa, Jhalak Man Gandarva, and in the female arena Koili Devi Mathema, Tara Devi, Aruna Lama. Not to mention, most of these musicians were trained by Indian classical veterans and thus bridging Nepali music close to Indian, especially to Northern Indian music. Here are some of the old Nepali music instruments which have been in the disappearing phase Dhimay, Dhah, Paschima, Madal, Bhusyah, Chhusyah, TainNain, Tungana, Sarangi, EktareMuhali, Murchunga, Bansuri etc.Music is the part of everyday life among Nepalese. Nepali traditional folk and classical music is famous in Nepal and it gives entertainment to the music lovers. The rhythm beats and bounds of it give the spiritual pleasure to the listeners. As music is the vital factor for Nepalese people it linked with every event performed in Nepal. Many musical programs are launched in birth, marriage, festival or national events in Nepal.
Various songs, musical instruments and dances are connected with various religious, social and cultural lives of the Nepalese. Music is the heartbeat of Nepal. Music is associated to every event of life, be it with festivals, feasts, marriage, birth ceremonies or funeral processions. Several shops in Thamel sell cheap rock/pop reissues and new age East-West mood music on tape and CD, as well as some traditional Nepali folk and classical compilations on tape. The popular songs like ‘Changba hoi Changba, Man Chadey Maichyang lai’ are famous and every radio and FM stations are playing the re-mix songs. Many artists are using Tamang Selo tunes in their songs and which have also been hit and many listeners are entertaining their music.   

Indigenous Nepalese Music
There are much Indigenous Music in Nepal which shows the particular life style of the indigenous people. Below are the lists of Indigenous Nepalese Music:

Deuda Music
Deuda is one type of music having variety of genre including Thadi Bhakha, Raheri and other, presented in western region of Nepal.
 
Newari Music
Newari music mainly consists of percussion instruments, some wind instruments as well as instruments with no string. In Newari culture almost in all the occasions traditional tunes are played.

Khas Music
In the Khas society traditionally castes like Damai used to play a number of instruments for occasions such as marriage. The minstrels, gaine, used to play instruments like ‘Sarangi’ but even the Gaine are declining in number.

Gurung Music
The Gurungs have very rich tradition of music and culture. They have established a system of ‘Rodhi’ which is little similar to modern discos, where young people meet and share their views in music and dancing

Tamang Music
Tamang community is well known for Damphu, traditional instrument. Tamang selo music is based on the usage of Damphu and Tungna. Western and Indian instruments are also found in some modern Tamang Selo music.

NEPALI MUSIC IN PRESENT ERA

Jindabaad , one of the most popular underground band in Kathmandu.

The Kathmandu valley is the musical center of roci, blues and metal scene in Nepal. Many new Metal bands have emerged around in Kathmandu valley since the KtmRocks started. Most of these bands are highly influenced by the foreign metal. These bands play gigs from time to time in the underground scene. These days metal Jazz and Blues has been highly appreciated by the Nepali music lovers. Upstairs Ideas is promoting the Jazz scene in Nepal Along with Cadenza. The rock, Blues, Jazz and metal scenes are evolving in Nepal with much improvement in quality and performance. Many bands emerged after the 20th century with genres like alternative, progressive, punk, etc. but most of the bands are unable to exist in the musical environment of Nepal.

The most prominent Rock artists/band in Nepal are 1974 AD, Nepathya, Mukti and Revival, Robin (of Robin and Looza) and the new revolution, Looza (minus Robin), etc. New artists are emerging with the emergence of media. Shanon Scam is on the rise due to their hardcore punk music.

On the other hand Kutumba is by far one of the most appreciated bands in the Nepal's music scene to date. With all the bands having their own reasons to play a certain genre and style of music, kutumba artistically reflects Nepal's culture and tradition with their folk tunes. "Kutumba is a folk instrumental ensemble, group of seven professionals from Kathmandu. Having come together for the preservation of their culture and art, Kutumba wishes to spread love and joy of Nepali folk music throughout the world.”

Lately, an art/alternative rock supergroup named Jindabaad is formed, with ex-members of Atomic Bush, Karmavalanche, Baking Space Cake and Ushma Weg. They are termed to be one of the greatest bands in the current scene. A new new-wave thrash metal project called E.quals is also formed by members of Lost Oblivion and Vhumi. E.quals represents Nepal in the Global Battle of Bands 2010. Alongside, a number of new metal/rock bands have emerged in the underground scene like Stairs of Cirith, Spells of Prophecy, Wings of Spasm, Vengeance fills the Night, Kaal, KaalBhairav, Black Sins Immortal, etc. "Awoni Bhedi" a celtic metal band with alternative rock influence was formed few years back. Apart from rock and metal due to the globalization pop and hip-hop music have also been introduced to the Nepali music industry. Nowadays people living in urban areas such as youths have started to visit dance clubs and they also have started to organize dance parties which is a effect of globalization.

Positive and Negative Aspect of Globalization in Nepali Music

It is said that every thing is two-faced and Effect of Globalization in Nepali music has also positive and negative aspect. First of all I want to talk about the negative impact of Globalization in Nepali Music. Nowadays people have started to spoil the taste of old classical Nepali songs by remixing it. Remix has been a certain trend since about 5 years.

Many famous musicians of Nepal have criticized the way people remake the classic old song to earn profit. They say remixing is not a very bad idea but it should be in a limit. Due to the globalization the piracy of music has created a great problem in Nepali Music industry. Nowadays people have started to make glamorous music videos as a result children have been hugely affected by them .In recent times the some music composers have been heavily criticized for copying the composition of other music composers. Due to the westernization, original Nepali flavor has been missing in the Nepali music. People have started to use modern gadgets and have forgotten Nepali musical instruments. If this trend will continue like this one day Nepali music will surely be finished.

These were the negative impact of western influence in Nepali music but we have to say that due to the westernization Nepali music also has gained many things. First of all we can find a vast difference in the quality of recording in the past and present. Due to the invention of latest technology nowadays the price of recording is not that much high as there are many recording studios in Nepal which were not there in the past. In the present time people can use different kinds of music accessories such as ipod, mp3 players, iphones, etc. Since the influence of the western music the Nepali music lovers also have dramatically increased as the new style of music is mostly loved by the youths or the new generation. Due to globalization artists from Nepal visit different countries and show their musical talent to the whole world. Recently one Latin band visited Nepal and they performed with the Nepali local band this showed that music had no religion. Due to globalization we can share our music to people from other countries and vice-versa. Today is time of new gadgets and new inventions so the Nepali artists also have learnt many things from the western music. Nowadays musicians have tried to collaborate western and eastern music as a result a master piece is created. It is said that music has no bond or no religion, it is the language through which people from different can communicate between each other.

Conclusion

Music is an art form whose medium is sound. As I also love to sing and have a great passion towards music, in my view the influence of western music in Nepal have done really good things for us. Time changes and we also have to change according to the time. We must keep on improving and should not look back. Since we have accepted the western music we also should not forget our own music. We should try to give more emphasis on our own music first then to the foreign music. Music is a kind of inspiration through which we can express our self. So at last what we can say is we should respect all kinds of music and should try to preserve our own.

We can conserve

It's finally come to this: of the 650 MW electricity generation capacity the national grid can only put out 260 MW.Demand is surging at 60 megawatts a year and no new major capacity has been added for the past four years. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to calculate that power cuts will be with us for at least another 10 winters. It may be longer if new projects are not launched right away.

The question for consumers is what to do till then? Aside from buying a diesel generator and investing in solar-charged batteries for household lighting, the only other thing is to hope that the existing capacity is managed properly.

The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) admits loss through leakage and pilferage is more than 25 percent-one of the highest in the region. Reducing these losses by just half could save up to 80MW and reduce the current 17 hours a week load shedding. Kathmandu Valley alone loses 6 MW to pilferage.

The proposed restructuring of NEA into regional distribution centres could cut these losses. In Pokhara electricity theft was cut to nine percent after a regional distribution wing was set up. The planned community electrification will also reduce pilferage because local management is more efficient.

To reduce demand, time-of-day pricing would work. Tarriffs could also be seasonally fixed: more expensive in peak winter months and cheaper during monsoon when there is excess capacity.

"The idea is to make price work as a policeman," says former Water Resources Minister Dipak Gyawali, "and that was exactly what we had recommended to the Tariff Fixation Commission in 2003 but the idea was totally ignored."

Differential tariffs would make it attractive for investors to get into reservoir projects since they can sell electricity at higher cost during peak hours and seasons. At present, except Kulekhani, all hydropower depends on water levels in rivers which is down drastically due to the five month drought.

The Water Resources Ministry and the NEA are now paying for twiddling their thumbs and not launching any major project since King Gyanendra took over in October 2002. Still, all they are doing is fixing load shedding schedules, imploring consumers to make voluntary cutbacks or knocking out street lamps.They are asking consumers to switch to compact florescent lamps because a 11W light is as bright as a 60-W incandescent bulb. If all households (making up 40 percent of NEA's clients) converted, the system would save at least 180 MW.

"The figures show that this is a workable idea," said Ratna Sansar Shrestha a former member of the NEA board, "all you need to do is get your clients to use such lamps and you save huge units of electricity."

Another idea that may have to be taken more seriously is to introduce daylight saving time in winter to reduce electricity consumption during the peak evening hours. If Nepal Standard Time is advanced by 45 minutes, there would be longer daylight hours. An additional benefit would be to eliminate the incongruous 15 minute time difference with India. If people turn on the electricity one hour later this would automatically reduce peak evening load.

NEA officials say that if there are no major rain showers in the coming two weeks, useable water in Kulekhani will run out within a month and the present 35 hours of loadshedding a week could be extended even further.

So, for now the only thing NEA and its consumers can do is: pray for rain.

WHAT CAN BE DONE

. Reduce system loss of 25 percent

. Introduce differential pricing to reduce demand

. Convert incandescent to fluorescent bulbs

. Introduce daylight saving time

. Pray for rain

Nothing in the pipeline

The NEA may like to blame this year's winter drought for the power shortage but even if there was normal rainfall this winter we would still be in a crisis.

The 70MW Middle Marsyangdi which should have come on stream this year has been delayed by the conflict and is still two years away. No other major power project has come online since 2002. The only reservoir-type project being contemplated, the 750 MW West Seti, is meant only for export. Upper Karnali, another quick turnaround project, is so far from load centers in Nepal that it makes sense only for selling power to India. Both are at least 10 years away.

The NEA had foreseen this crisis and three transmission lines to link with the north Indian grid were being prepared last year. But like other aid projects it became a casualty of the February First royal takeover. The peak season for power consumption in north India is June-July when Nepal has surplus power and in Nepal it is February-March when the Indian grid is off-peak-making power trading with India feasible.

The quickest project that can be turned around is the 309MW Upper Tama Kosi that can be finished in four years. But in its eagerness, NEA may have bungled this project too by trying to go it alone. At a seminar last month in Oslo which brought together Norwegian and Nepali investors interested in the Upper Tama Kosi, the NEA put off potential investors.

The NEA says it has already invested in studying Upper Tama Kosi, could inject more capital, take active part in construction and guarantee the power purchase. It proposes to begin road construction this year, complete detailed design by 2007 and start the civil construction by 2008. NEA says it has lined up $150 million in loan commitments, will fund the road and detailed study itself and will get more finance as it goes along. It says it may even take a minority stake in a foreign joint venture.

The Norwegians who are involved with Nepali partners in the $150 million Khimti project had invited the NEA as the license holder to Oslo to see how and under what conditions the project could be taken forward. However, they were said to be sceptical about NEA doing such a large project itself. The Oslo meeting failed to identify the way forward on financing and conditions under which the Norwegian company Statkraft would be interested in investing i

Powercuts is one of the biggest problem that is troubling nepali people in present time. Due to energy crisis the government is also not able to handle the situation properly. So in this crucial state nepali people are suffering a lot.In recent years, we’ve seen a push to improve how efficiently we use our energy . But, is this proliferation of energy saving programs and incentives really helping to alleviate the energy crisis we’re facing. If it is, is it enough? Is buying energy saving lights and appliances really going help us decrease the number of generating facilities we require to provide us with the energy we need now and in the future? Should we be confident that our politicians really understand how to fix our current and future energy situation?

I suppose we could take the position that every little bit helps. I can’t deny that no matter how much or how little we save, it is better than doing nothing!

Here are some of efforts by which we can

1. Turn on lights and air-conditioners in offices and venues when absolutely necessary. Turn off when unoccupied or not in use for extended periods.

2. Assess your needs carefully and consciously. Lights do not have to be switched on in offices and areas with adequate natural light.

3.Avoid the use of heaters ( dress to suit the weather). When purchasing heaters, procure those with a one hour timing device.

Use natural ventilation where practically possible in preference to fans and air-conditioning.

4. Purchase machinery and equipment with energy efficiency in mind.

5.Minimise the use of hot water usage.

6.Activate sleep mode on computers where possible.

7. When computer is not in use for more than one hour, turn off monitor.

8. Replace a regular incandescent light bulb with a compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) - CFLs use 60% less energy than a regular bulb.

9. Turn off lights when you leave the room

10. Turn off devices that you're not using

There really aren't many electrical devices in a home that need to be left on 24/7.

11.We can save energy by lowering the temperature of water heater. Many times the heater runs just to maintain a tankful of water at a temperature much higher than you'll ever use.

Although brief and only meant as an introduction, I sincerely hope that this article will bring new light to how we view and manage this serious energy problem we face not only for today, but for our future.