The Popularity of the Oprah Winfrey Show in Kuwait - Essay Example

Evaluational Argument Introduction The emergence of new media in Kuwait has had numerous social effects. The new media has served to introduce popular culture in Kuwait. The role of media in promoting a popular culture cannot be underestimated. This is because different media forms are becoming increasingly accessible to a larger audience. Kuwait has been stringent with its traditional culture for many years. Its culture is defined by strict religious beliefs and moral standards and conservatism. However, as the nation moves towards globalization, the media has become highly influential. Notably, satellite television in Kuwait has become accessible to many people. Television programs allow people to gain exposure to international media, which is the leading promoter of the popular culture. One of the outstanding cases in Kuwait is the airing of the Oprah Reality Show. Notably, the Oprah Reality Show has been described as one of the television programs that promote popular culture across the globe. This reality show plays a critical role in the promotion of ideas, perspectives, images, attitudes, and other aspects of the popular culture across the globe. For many years, Kuwait had been without such exposure to popular culture. Evidently, the Oprah Winfrey Show has played a critical role in promoting popular culture in Kuwait, and excreting negative effects on the traditional culture of the country. This paper will offer a critique of the effects of the Oprah Reality Show to the Kuwait traditional culture. Background of the Oprah Winfrey Show in Kuwait The Oprah Winfrey show is viewed in 122 countries across the globe. Notably, the popularity of the show and high regard given to Oprah herself as a form of authority in the society has contributed to its numerous effects on the audience. Evidently, Oprah Winfrey has mastered the art of gaining the attention of the audience. Moreover, she regards herself as an individual in a position to offer advice to people concerning different problems. Therefore, she poses as a friend to the audience and a therapist to those with issues (Mohammed and Mary). The introduction of the Oprah Show in Kuwait has only served to increase the cultural dilemma faced by the country. Evidently, Kuwait has maintained its traditional culture for many years. However, as the country embraces technology, it is unable to avoid the effects of the new media. Without doubt, the popular culture promoted by new media has affected the perceptions of some young people in Kuwait. The penetration of foreign media in Kuwait has been possible through the satellite television services. This enables many people to watch numerous programs after successful subscription to the satellite services. This has ensured that there is an increasing inflow of foreign-based media content into Kuwait. The Oprah Winfrey Show is available to people in Kuwait on the free to air (FTA) UAE-based Middle East Broadcasting Centre. Unlike other foreign programs, the Oprah Winfrey show does not require any transcription and is entirely free to the Kuwaiti audiences who have access to a satellite receiver and antennae. In 2010, the Oprah Winfrey Show was aired at 2:30 pm and a repeat was available at 7 pm. More specifically, in 2004, the Oprah Winfrey show hosted a Kuwaiti woman who discussed the suffering of the Kuwaiti women. She gave details of the cultural limitations and the religious expectations placed upon women in Kuwait (Mohammed and Mary). This served to place Kuwait on the limelight on a global front. The interview of the featured woman led to further controversies within Kuwait because of issues regarding the voting rights accorded to women. Criteria for Evaluating the Social Relevance of the Oprah Winfrey Show In a bid to determine whether the Oprah Winfrey Show has had a positive effect on the Kuwaiti audience, it is critical to establish criteria of assessing its relevance. One of the criterion that can be used in evaluating a reality show is its content and purpose. This is because any program appearing in the media has a specific content that defines it. Therefore, considering the subjects discussed in the Oprah Winfrey reality show can help in determining its relevance. The second criterion will be a consideration of the social effects that may be triggered by a continuous viewing of the reality show. The third criterion will focus on analyzing the ethical point of view promoted by the show (Mohamed and Mary). Analysis of the Content The Oprah Winfrey Show is regarded highly in many societies. Many people who view it have highlighted that it offers ideas as well as advice concerning the common social and personal problems. However, it is worth noting that being a reality show, which is part of the new media, it conforms to the digital aesthetics, which exhibit new hierarchical arrangements, and new frameworks, which are beyond the human body and its senses. Moreover, the show serves to introduce new perspectives of viewing material things. Since it is a promoter of the American popular culture, which is defined by individualism, it promotes similar materiality perspectives. For a conservative country like Kuwait, the digital aesthetics exhibited in the reality show serves to introduce new aspects into the society. For many years, the Kuwaiti audience has adhered to strict cultural and religious values. The aesthetic values promoted by the Oprah Winfrey show may serve to alter the perspectives and convictions of Kuwaiti women (Mohammed and Mary). Analysis of the Social Effects The second criterion for assessing the relevance of the Oprah Winfrey show is a consideration of the social effects of the content aired during the show. Notably, Oprah and her co-hosts do not have any professional qualification in counseling. However, they offer advice to people of different social classes and religions. It is of great concern to consider the practicality of the content aired on the show to the Kuwaiti audience. Without doubt, the content of the show may serve to challenge existing cultures and religious beliefs that have defined the Kuwaiti people. The audience has the freedom to assess the content and identify with what seems to suit their needs. This has happened in the real sense explaining why the country is experiencing a cultural dilemma on whether to embrace popular culture fully or whether to maintain the country traditional heritage (Mohammed and Mary). There is the possibility that information communicated through the Oprah Winfrey show may serve to shape a new Kuwaiti identity. Ethical Point of View The third criterion considers the ethical effects of the content aired on the Oprah Winfrey Show. Notably, the Kuwaiti society belongs to the Arab world and has varying ethical considerations compared to the western world. With the show being aired freely to many people, it is evident that many people will adopt ethical perspectives communicated during this show. Reality TV shows have been identified as having a direct influence on both moral and ethical standards of societies. What is depicted on reality shows drives many people to consider it ethically right without critical analysis (Mohammed and Mary). Evaluation Based on the Above Criteria Based on the above three criteria, it is evident that introducing the Oprah Winfrey Show to the Kuwaiti audience was not a good idea. For a nation that has made efforts of promoting its traditional cultural heritage, the content aired on the Oprah Winfrey Show will only serve to contribute to the fading away of traditional values. The youth are more vulnerable as they are the targets of the popular culture. There is evidence that many Kuwaiti youths have adopted perspectives, ideologies, and viewpoints aired on the Oprah Winfrey show. The case mentioned of a Kuwaiti woman featured on the show, which revealed different aspects of the Kuwaiti culture is evidence the show is likely to have devastating effects on the cultural heritage of Kuwait (Mohammed and Mary). Conclusion Evidently, new media has served as the avenue by introducing popular culture to the Kuwaiti people. The Oprah Winfrey reality show is a clear example of how the American popular culture is being promoted in Kuwait. From the critical analysis conducted above, it emerges that the show is not healthy for a nation that intends to maintain its traditional cultural heritage. This is because the show promotes perspectives and attitudes that contrast to the cultural and religious values of the Kuwaiti people. Work Cited Mohammed, Shaheed and Queen, Mary. ” Watching Oprah in Kuwait: A qualitative and quantitative investigation”. The Electronic Journal of Communication 21.1-2(2011): n.p. Web. 18th Sept. 2014. Read More