Saudi Women and the Challenge of Work in the TV Industry

Abstract

Saudi TV channels have opened their doors for Saudi women to work in the industry. However, most women refuse to utilize this opportunity, for a variety of reasons, including education and training. A number of obstacles have prevented Saudi women from working in television, and even appearing on the TV screens as newsreaders or program presenters. For this reason, it is important to ascertain the nature of the obstacles that prevent the women from working on either government or private television channels. Therefore, the current study sought to identify and examine the obstacles that prevent Saudi women from joining the TV industry workforce. The study combined mixed methods, qualitative and quantitative, to enhance the validity of the research results and to gain a better understanding of the situation. The study found that the most influential factor on women's studies in the field of TV media was the lack of female education and training programs. The study revealed that this absence had been shaped by the Saudi social culture. The universities were unable to teach TV media subjects without obtaining the approval of the society. This situation was also the result of the Saudi social culture, which has yet to acquire the social and cultural dimensions that are the essential values needed to support women's endeavors for independent identity.