Censorship- Does it make a mockery of the arts? Date 7 TH JUNE 2012 Polling dates 30 TH MAY- 3 RD JUNE 2012

METHODOLOGY

Methodology  The research was conducted using YouGov’s regional online panel of 235,000+ respondents. Respondents from across the region (Arab world) were invited to participate in the survey.  A total of 1,013 respondents completed the 5-7 minute survey.  Fieldwork was conducted from the 30 th of May to 3 rd of June 2012.

DEMOGRAPHICS

Respondent demographics Total Base= 1,013  As per the quotas, approximately half the sample comprised of GCC residents (55%), with one-quarter coming from North Africa (23%) and the Levant (22%), respectively. As illustrated below, the vast majority of the sample (82%) were aged 40 years or below. Two-thirds (67%) of respondents were male

Regional breakdown Countries of residence 11% 78% 71% 13% 7% 2% 1% 3% 55% 18% 10% KSA UAE KUW YEM BAH QAT EGY MOR TUN JOR SYR LEB GCC Total= 562 N. AFRICA Total= 231 LEVANT Total= 220 5% IRQ 12% PAL ALG 4% Total Base= 1,013 3% OMN 3% LIB 3%  As shown below, the largest proportion of the sample came from KSA (N=397), Egypt (N=181) and Syria (N=120) 1% MRT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Executive summary (1/2)  60% of respondents across the Arab world do not think state censorship makes a mockery of the arts.  Those in the GCC were the highest in opposing the motion  In the Levant opinion was largely divided  Among those surveyed across the region, the fact that it is ‘against freedom of expression’ emerged as the main reason why they felt state censorship makes a mockery of the arts. Many were also concerned it ‘blocks the message(s) the artist is trying to convey’, that ‘each member of the society should be able to decide on his/her own what they want to be exposed to rather than having it dictated by the state’) and that ‘censorship is just another concept invented by those in power to control the masses’.  On the other hand, those respondents who do not believe censorship makes a mockery of the arts believe state ‘intervention’ is required as ‘art can be indecent and needs to be censored before being shown to the general public’ and ‘to protect religious beliefs’. Just under half of those surveyed across the region also believed censorship helps maintain ‘order’ within the society.  According to respondents across the region, censorship should be most applied on Internet websites, music videos and the cinema  Very few believed censorship should not be applied at all (10% across of overall sample).

Executive summary (2/2)  The vast majority of respondents across the region believe ‘nudity’ and ‘offensive language’ should be censored.  In general, respondents would place most trust on ‘well-respected members of the society’ to decide what should and should not be censored. This was followed by ‘leading intellectuals of the country’ and ‘religious leaders’. Political leaders are not trusted to make these kinds of decisions.  In-line with their initial response to the motion (i.e. supporting state censorship on arts), the largest proportion of respondents believed that classes in modern art taught in universities in the Arab world should also be censored.  Although opinion was divided, when asked about the likely impact of the rise of the Internet in the region on censorship, a larger proportion of respondents were more inclined to believe it would decrease the level of censorship.  In terms of the ‘merit’ of ‘blacking out female flesh in Western magazines’, respondents were somewhat divided in their opinions on whether this is a ‘ridiculous’ thing to do or something which should be done. However, respondents seemed to be more ‘tolerant’ about movies with a larger proportion of them saying they feel frustrated when some scenes are cut from foreign movies due to censorship.  Overall, the majority of respondents believe that despite all efforts censorship will not be able to block the power of arts because ideas and beliefs survive in our imagination.

POLL RESULTS

Over half the respondents surveyed do not believe censorship makes a mockery of the arts In your opinion, does state censorship make a mockery of the arts?  60% of respondents across the Arab world do not think state censorship makes a mockery of the arts. Perhaps due to the more conservative culture in these countries, those in the GCC were the highest in opposing the motion with 2 in every 3 respondents (66%) believing state censorship does not make a mockery of the arts  In the Levant opinion was largely divided (51% saying ‘Yes’ vs. 49% saying ‘No’) Total Base= 1,013 GCC= 562 North Africa= 231 Levant = 220

Why does censorship make a mockery of the arts? Why do you think state censorship makes a mockery of the arts? (Please select the TOP 3 reasons for your opinion)  Among those surveyed across the region, the fact that it is ‘against freedom of expression’ (55%) emerged as the main reason why they felt state censorship makes a mockery of the arts. Many were also concerned it ‘blocks the message(s) the artist is trying to convey’ (43%), that ‘each member of the society should be able to decide on his/her own what they want to be exposed to rather than having it dictated by the state’) (41%) and that ‘censorship is just another concept invented by those in power to control the masses’ (40%)  Relatively speaking, respondents from the Levant were most likely to believe ‘censorship is just another concept invented by those in power to control the masses’ (48%) Those who believe it makes mockery of the arts= 402

Why does censorship NOT make a mockery of the arts? Why do you think state censorship does NOT make a mockery of the arts? (Please select the TOP 3 reasons for your opinion)  Those respondents who do not believe censorship makes a mockery of the arts believe state ‘intervention’ is required as ‘art can be indecent and needs to be censored before being shown to the general public’ (59%) and ‘to protect religious beliefs’ (58%). Just under half of those surveyed across the region (45%) also believed censorship helps maintain ‘order’ within the society (45%) Those who believe it does NOT make mockery of the arts= 611

Which ‘media’ should be censored? By region In which of the following, if any, do you believe censorship should be applied? (Please select all that apply)  According to respondents across the region, censorship should be most applied on Internet websites (58%), music videos (55%) and the cinema (49%)  Very few believed censorship should not be applied at all (10% across of overall sample). Those surveyed in the Levant were most likely to express this view (17%) Total Base= 1,013

Which ‘media’ should be censored? By opinion group In which of the following, if any, do you believe censorship should be applied? (Please select all that apply)  As would have been expected, those who believe censorship makes a mockery of the arts are most likely to believe censorship should not be applied to any of the channels listed (24%). However, it is interesting to note that many respondents in this group still believed censorship has a role to play – especially on Internet websites (41%), music videos (37%) and the cinema (26%) Total Base= 1,013

And what should be censored? By region What topic(s), if any, do you think should be censored? (Please select all that apply)  The vast majority of respondents across the region believe ‘nudity’ and ‘offensive language’ should be censored (81% and 71%, respectively). This opinion is largely consistent across all regions surveyed Total Base= 1,013

And what should be censored? By opinion group What topic(s), if any, do you think should be censored? (Please select all that apply)  As illustrated above, even those respondents who felt censorship makes mockery of the arts still see a need for censoring nudity and offensive language (73% and 66%, respectively). This feeling was even more accentuated among those who feel censorship does not make a mockery of the arts Total Base= 1,013

Who should decide what is censored? If censorship is to take place in society, who, in your opinion, is best placed to decide what should and should not be censored? (Please select one only)  In general, respondents would place most trust on ‘well-respected members of the society’ to decide what should and should not be censored (30%). This was followed by ‘leading intellectuals of the country’ (23%) and ‘religious leaders’ (19%). Political leaders are not trusted to make these kinds of decisions (7%).  Across the regions surveyed, relatively speaking those in the GCC (mostly KSA) were most likely to support ‘religious leaders’ as censors of information (21% vs. 17% in NA and 15% in Levant), while those in the Levant were most likely to favour ‘leading intellectuals’ (31% vs. 19% in KSA). Total Base= 1,013

Modern art classes at universities in the Arab world should also be censored Many universities in the Arab world have introduced classes in modern art. In your opinion, should these classes still be censored?  In-line with their initial response to the motion (i.e. supporting state censorship on arts), the largest proportion of respondents (46%) believed that classes in modern art taught in universities in the Arab world should also be censored. This was highest in the GCC (51%) and lowest in the Levant with the largest proportion of respondents there being in fact against censoring in modern art classes (42% said ‘No’).  Those who believe censorship makes a mockery of the arts were also against censoring modern art classes in universities in the Arab world (54% said ‘No’). Total Base= 1,013

The rise of the Internet & censorship – What impact? In your opinion, how will the rise of the Internet across the region affect censorship, if at all? (Please select one only)  Although opinion was divided, when asked about the likely impact of the rise of the Internet in the region on censorship, a larger proportion of respondents were more inclined to believe it would decrease the level of censorship (28% said it would decrease and 16% said it would end all together – across overall sample). Total Base= 1,013

A society’s perspective on censorship How strongly do you agree/disagree with each of the following statements regarding censorship?  In terms of the ‘merit’ of ‘blacking out female flesh in Western magazines’, respondents were somewhat divided in their opinions on whether this is a ‘ridiculous’ thing to do (43%) or something which should be done (41%). However, respondents seemed to be more ‘tolerant’ about movies with a larger proportion of them (48%) saying they feel frustrated when some scenes are cut from foreign movies due to censorship (vs. 37% who disagree).  Overall, the majority of respondents (54%) believe that despite all efforts censorship will not be able to block the power of arts because ideas and beliefs survive in our imagination (vs. 23% who disagree). Total Base= 1,013

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