Freedom of Expression, Accountability and Development in the Arab Region

Mechanisms for ensuring government transparency and accountability have yet to become established in the Arab region, where oil rents and security rents have traditionally enabled governments to provide jobs and services without having to rely heavily, if at all, on raising revenue through personal income tax on citizens. Yet various forms of resource mobilization, which will be needed in future, are likely to require a greater degree of accountability from those responsible for such mobilization. This paper considers whether a move in this direction is under way. It reviews government approaches to freedom of expression in the media and among non- governmental organizations. It notes changes that have taken place in this sphere since the start of the 1990s, not all of them positive, and concludes that many more steps remain to be taken if media organizations and non-governmental organizations are to exert pressure for accountability on behalf of citizens, and especially the disadvantaged.