The Arab media firsts needs to change its priorities. Local issues have been too long pushed under the carpet with priority instead going to regional and international issues. The status of resistances in Palestine, Iraq and Lebanon are important, but covering them exclusively should not be an exercise in escapism.

There are some areas which could be technically adjusted to improve freedom of expression and the press, but these changes would be largely futile without holistic, comprehensive political reform. Nevertheless, I will continue with a quick look at our ailments in the Arab region. It can be helpful.

Covering local issues, which are often controversial, requires protection mechanisms. We need a stronger civil society that can both provide material for the media and act as a protector of the courageous journalists that are willing to take on political powers and thugs who try to terrorize them into reflecting their narrow points of view.

State owned wire services dominate the local scene and governmental interference results in a high dose of self censorship. An unholy alliance between governments, business elite and the media has weakened the chance of any serious internal discussions.

Media laws have to be changed to truly allow independent ownership, reject government interference, and provide a level competitive playing field. In Jordan for example the government charges high fees for local radio and TV (at least it licenses private radio whereas most countries don't) and even higher fees for those who choose to broadcast news and politics. At the same time the government collects a license fee for the state run radio and TV (but doesn't give the money back to them). The state allows subsidized media to then make money through advertising.

Regulatory bodies are almost nonexistent. Journalist syndicates are made up of mostly state employees who are limited to one syndicate (which also includes journalists, editors and media owners). Mandatory membership in these single unions, which are mostly pro-government closed shops, makes the possibility of a truly representative union nearly impossible.

New media is mounting an important challenge to the traditional media. Satellite and Internet have broken new ground and are making some, albeit not enough, difference to the media scene.