The recent development on the Arab media scene proves there has been a fundamental change to the formation of and participation in public debates. Earlier studies argued that, prior to the 1990s, Arab media were controlled by governments with the sole aim of keeping laypeople uninformed, and hence unprepared to participate in a rational debate. Alterman provides an optimistic vision of this development, arguing that certain media outlets, particularly al-Jazeera, have indeed served as modern “coffee houses,” moving the traditional space of rational discussion from salons and public gatherings to the air. Other scholars share this view, seeing in the new channels evidence of pluralism and diverse opinions, a rich basis for vigorous public debate.

Thus, the recent development in the Arab media landscape has urged new analyses of the relation between media and citizen deliberation, drawing in particular on Habermas's model of the public sphere, rather than examining the applicability of this very model to non-Western contexts.

The public sphere is first and foremost a space for exchanging information on common topics, which in turn form public opinion. However, the notion of the public sphere implies an idealized form of public participation; so, when the people show a willingness to participate in the political process, they are hailed as rational beings acting out of a utilitarian interest in their own progress and happiness.