Journal de communication de masse et de journalisme

Challenging Social Taboos in Egypt: Investigating Egyptian Podcasts as an Alternative Medium

Abstract

Heba Fantini*

Podcasts began as an alternative medium that is used in a variety of sectors and frequently bypasses censorship restrictions. Using the Uses and Gratifications theory, this research postulates a relationship between limited censorship on podcasts and the current increase in podcast listeners as well as the idea that the more taboo topics that are covered in podcasts, the greater the demand for them. The tested theories were accurate. With the help of information acquired through three in-depth interviews and three discourse analyses of Arabic podcast episodes, nine research topics were addressed. The findings revealed the platforms, topics, and podcast categories that Egyptian youth favoured.