For a technology that has attracted the attention of Disney, ABC, CNN and music listeners everywhere this past year, podcasting is still relatively unknown in Saudi Arabia. In fact, in the Internet’s vast entirety there is only one Saudi podcast. “A Saudi Life” is launched by a man known mysteriously as ‘Saudi’, based in Riyadh. ‘Saudi’ uploads weekly episodes to his website www.asaudilife.net .
So what does it mean to podcast? Essentially, podcasting means that anybody can have their own radio show, as long as they have the right amount of technical know-how, a PC and a microphone.
Why, then, the lack of Saudi podcast participation? In an interview with Arab News, ‘Saudi’ said “It is surprising that my show is the only Saudi podcast online. The reasons are basically because that there is no interest in podcast in the Arabic world now and people are more into paltalk system. My podcast is in English and is meant for the world and not the Arab world. Also downloading a 30+MB file on the Saudi network is not very exciting.”
Others put it down to marketing. Ahmed, a KSU student, who blogs under the alias of Saudi Jeans, says, “Podcasting has not taken off in Saudi Arabia because the device used to listen to podcasts (MP3 players), particularly the iPod, did not make the same impact as it did in the West. I think that high prices, bad marketing by manufacturers, and the slow adoption for new technologies by Saudis, are the reasons.”
He would certainly listen to more Saudi podcasts if they were available. “Listening to podcasts would give me a better perspective, and would help me to have a better understanding of our society and the people who live in it,” says Ahmed.
The concept has been floating around the Internet for over a year now. Podcasting is the brainchild of former MTV presenter Adam Curry, who also gave it its name. The name “podcast” can be misleading, however, because neither podcasting nor listening to podcasts requires an iPod; and no broadcasting is necessary. The theory is, you can download it to your mp3 player and listen to it on-the go. All you need is a podcast player, like iTunes or Juice.
There are now over 10,000 English podcasts available on the Internet. Some require a subscription fee, while some are free of charge. Some are audio blogs, while others are broadcast radio and TV shows jumping on the podcast bandwagon, and forming their own audio net programs. And once it’s out there, anybody who has subscribed to the podcast can listen to it.
With its popularity increasing some use podcasting to avoid regulatory bodies that would not allow a program to be broadcast in traditional media. Schools have launched regular podcasts as study aids for students, and various newspapers have created podcasts with audio versions of print interviews. On the Middle Eastern front, there is even an Amr Diab podcast.
The aim of ‘Saudi’s’ podcast is to “Introduce a view of Saudi Arabia and the World from a Saudi perspective”, or at least that’s what it says on his website. His episode topics range from “How Saudi’s see the people of the world” to “Women’s Rights in Saudi Arabia.” And he’s only made eight episodes so far.
What message does he send to the world? “This is Saudi Arabia, it is not perfect but it is not what many think it is. It needs a lot of improvements but it needs time. Also Saudis are normal people, and they just come from a different culture and experiences.”
‘Saudi’ plans a series of new features for his podcast. “The newest is accepting recorded call ins. Those interested in having a voice on the show can call a US number or use a service called Skype online. They will be greeted by a voicemail service. The caller records his question or comment and if it’s broadcast worthy it will be added to the show.”
Even bigger, he plans to go live, “If there is enough interest and finances permitting.”
“It’s easier for me,” describes ‘Saudi’, “and it is more relaxing to talk than write, also it makes my message more interactive as the tone of the voice sends more a message than just writing it.”
With such an easily available medium of speech, however, you have to be careful with what you say. “My rules are very simple. Do the best in providing different views even those I don’t agree with. Never try to insult people or their cultures. Beyond that everything is allowed.”
Especially now he is currently working on starting two Arabic podcasts. One similar to “A Saudi life” but in Arabic and targeted at the Saudi population, the other a tech. podcast in Arabic.
In answer to what he thinks will take for podcasting to become mainstream in Saudi, he listed an Arabia iPod and an Arabia podcast directory.
There are many critics of podcasting who have labeled it as a new fad, sure to die out. ‘Saudi’ disagrees, however. “Within a year or two, only quality podcasts will remain. But,” he asserted “It is here to stay.”
Access ‘A Saudi Life’ at www.asaudilife.net, and Saudi Jeans’ blog at http://saudijeans.blogspot.com/
