Reactive Morality and Public Decency Laws in GCC Countries: Hashtag Justice

الموضوعات

قانون

الملخص

This thesis examines the enforcement of public decency laws in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Kuwait, highlighting the influential role of social media (particularly X) in shaping public outrage and legal responses to moral transgressions. Using case studies, the research introduces the concept of "reactive morality," suggesting that legal actions are often driven by viral online campaigns rather than systematic legal frameworks.The study reveals inconsistencies in how laws are enforced, with similar behaviors receiving varying scrutiny depending on their visibility and public backlash on social media. "Public decency" is thus amorphous, challenging the fairness and predictability of legal systems within the GCC. What may be deemed offensive can differ widely based on context and online outrage, undermining public trust and complicating individuals’ navigation of acceptable conduct. There is a tension between the vague language of public decency laws, intended to uphold cultural and Islamic values, and the need for clearer, impartial legal frameworks, which facilitates arbitrary enforcement, often based on public sentiment rather than objective standards, positioning social media as a powerful arbiter of moral regulation. Employing an interdisciplinary approach from legal studies, sociology, and media studies, the thesis discusses how authoritarian governance and religious conservatism, combined with digital connectivity, create spaces where moral and legal boundaries are contested. The findings underscore the implications for individual rights, contending that unclear legal guidelines and the dominance of public opinion jeopardize equitable legal treatment. In response, this thesis advocates for reforms such as adopting more precise legal standards to reduce ambiguity and ensure consistent enforcement of public decency laws. It also calls for enhanced constitutional oversight to mitigate arbitrary enforcement driven by transient online trends. Ultimately, this research contributes to discussions on legal reform in the GCC, emphasizing the urgent need to align public decency frameworks with principles of fairness, accountability, and modernity amidst ongoing digital transformation.

روابط وملفات

التعريف والنوع

رقم الوثيقة

0aac161d-84f0-42bc-81b3-6fdf7a390aa6

رقم العقد

0

نوع الوسائط

Crawler

نوع المحتوى

الرسائل العلمية

صيغة المصدر

رسائل ماجيستير

نوع الملف

pdf text

أسماء الملفات

0aac161d-84f0-42bc-81b3-6fdf7a390aa6_1.pdf

بيانات النشر

ألقاب المؤلفين

[{"name_ar":"Abdulaziz Al-obaidli","title_ar":"اعداد","title_en":"Preparation"},{"name_ar":"Fatimah Ahdash","title_ar":"اشراف","title_en":"Supervision"}]

اللغة

English

المصدر والدورية

اسم المصدر

Reactive Morality and Public Decency Laws in GCC Countries: Hashtag Justice

المحتوى والصفحات

عدد الصفحات

0

كلمات الباحثين

Public morality - Reactive morality - Rule of law - Social media - Public decency

إشراف وإعداد

الإشراف

Fatimah Ahdash

الإعداد

Abdulaziz Al-obaidli

الاقتباسات الببليوغرافية