How can we Agree on Anything in This Environment? Tunisian Media, Transition and Elite Compromises: A View From Parliament

The literature on the role of the media during processes of transitions to democracy is divided over the positive or negative influence media outlets have. Both theoretically and empirically cases can be substantiated. In the case of the 2011 Arab revolts, however, there is a scholarly consensus tha...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe international journal of press/politics Vol. 26; no. 4; pp. 822 - 841
Main Authors Cavatorta, Francesco, Mekki, Nidhal
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.10.2021
SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
Subjects
Criticism
Democracy
Democratization
Legislatures
Mass media effects
Participant observation
Rebellions
constituent assembly
deputies
media
Tunisia
transition to democracy
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Summary:The literature on the role of the media during processes of transitions to democracy is divided over the positive or negative influence media outlets have. Both theoretically and empirically cases can be substantiated. In the case of the 2011 Arab revolts, however, there is a scholarly consensus that the media—traditional and social—have negatively affected the processes of transitions. While the criticism of the role of the media is empirically borne out, it does not explain how Tunisia was able to consolidate its democracy despite a polarizing media environment. Based on participant observation and interviews, the article argues that the inner workings of the Constituent Assembly and the role of individual deputies were crucial in overcoming a hostile atmosphere. This suggests that the role of political actors in negotiating the new rules of the game is more important than other factors shaping a transition.
ISSN:1940-1612
1940-1620
DOI:10.1177/19401612211018088