Satires explore socio-political landscape

Dubai Socio-political satirical shows, especially on YouTube, are successful because people are tired of the rigid content of traditional media platforms, panellists said on the second day of the Arab Media Forum (AMF) 2012.

During the session, ‘The YouTube Channels … Individual Platforms that Compete with the Satellite Stations', they said this was the case because YouTube allowed a bolder approach when covering current events.

After the session, Rajae Qawas, Jordanian presenter of N2oComedy, a YouTube show, told Gulf News: "The platform's [television channels] nature does not tolerate the kind of boldness that we have and the topics we discuss."

Bassem Yousuf, a medical doctor-turned-TV anchor who started off on YouTube and was headhunted by Egypt's OnTv, said there was no censorship for his show before and even on TV.

"They know they got this ‘product' from YouTube and if they try to trim it to fit their standards, it will ruin the ‘product' they liked on YouTube, so no one interferes with the content I present," he said.

Speakers also agreed the job of such shows is not to fix or propose solutions but to simplify and provide a less rigid expose of the socio-political landscape and let the audience formulate opinions.

Yousuf said "part of a satirist's job is to dissect, strip and diagnose the events around him until he reaches the truth".

He added his job was to give the audience a chance to make up their own mind.

The dangers of companies sponsoring YouTube channels was also highlighted at the session. Abdul Latif Mustafa, Presenter of Nashrat Ghaseel YouTube Show, said sponsors might want to control content and that would take away the freedom that characterises YouTube.

Omar Hussain, Presenter of Ala Tayer YouTube Show, said sponsors are fine as long as there is a clause in the contract that states they have no control over content.

Abdul Latif also said another key characteristic of YouTube shows was their simple presentation and production.