Desire for Cultural Preservation as a Predictor of Support for Entertainment Media Censorship in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates

Abstract

This article examines support for cultural preservation as a predictor of support for censorship of entertainment media in three Arab Gulf countries: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (N = 3,017; n > 1,000 in each country). Greater support for cultural preservation was positively associated with support for censorship; a belief that more should be done to preserve cultural traditions (Qatar, United Arab Emirates) and a desire for more entertainment that reflects one’s culture and history (Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates) were positively associated with support for censorship in two of the three countries. The belief that Hollywood films are harmful to morality was the only variable associated with stronger censorship support in all countries.