SCZONE showcases investment opportunities to eight Japanese companies    Egypt urges Israel to accept Gaza deal amid intensifying fighting    Egypt, ADIB explore strategic partnership in digital healthcare, investment    Egypt's PM meets Tokyo governor, witnesses signing of education agreements    Egypt welcomes international efforts for peace in Ukraine    Al-Sisi, Macron reaffirm strategic partnership, coordinate on Gaza crisis    Egypt's Sisi, France's Macron discuss Gaza ceasefire efforts in phone call    Contact Reports Strong 1H-2025 on Financing, Insurance Gains    Egypt, India's BDR Group in talks to establish biologics, cancer drug facility    AUC graduates first cohort of film industry business certificate    Egypt to tighten waste rules, cut rice straw fees to curb pollution    Indian tourist arrivals to Egypt jump 18.8% in H1-2025: ministry data    Egyptian pound down vs. US dollar at Monday's close – CBE    Egypt prepares unified stance ahead of COP30 in Brazil    Egypt recovers collection of ancient artefacts from Netherlands    Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures    Egypt, Namibia explore closer pharmaceutical cooperation    Fitch Ratings: ASEAN Islamic finance set to surpass $1t by 2026-end    Renowned Egyptian novelist Sonallah Ibrahim dies at 88    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt, Huawei explore healthcare digital transformation cooperation    Egypt's Sisi, Sudan's Idris discuss strategic ties, stability    Egypt to inaugurate Grand Egyptian Museum on 1 November    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Al Jazeera's new American challenge
Published in Daily News Egypt on 02 - 07 - 2009

WASHINGTON DC: On July 1, 2009, media relations between the Arab world and the United States took a fascinating turn. For the first time, the Doha-based TV station Al Jazeera brought its English-language news service to a large cable television audience in America, beginning in Washington, DC and then moving to other US cities.
As the company's director general, Wadah Khanfar, recently explained, the station is now expected to reach 2.3 million American viewers through MHZ Networks, a DC area cable TV provider, and has the potential to effect significant change in US-Arab relations. Though Al Jazeera International launched English-language programming in November 2006, it was not picked up by major US cable providers because of the widespread view that its coverage went against American objectives. This new decision marks a cultural shift.
During the George W. Bush administration, Al Jazeera frequently featured critical coverage of US foreign policy. Routinely, US government and military officials have criticized it for what they - and many Americans - perceived as biased coverage and an inflammatory tone.
While many Americans and Arabs hold widely divergent views of the TV station, President Obama sent a clear message to Al Jazeera by granting his first interview upon entering the White House to Al Jazeera's more nuanced competitor Al Arabiya: you should be objective when covering American stories.
As the President said, he seeks a fresh relationship, one based upon mutual interest and mutual respect and upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive, and need not be in competition. The new American administration has taken the lead towards cooperation and understanding. In order to promote constructive dialogue, Al Jazeera must follow suit.
Al Jazeera s coverage of the United States has yet to offer viewers a complete picture of American society. Since Sept. 11, 2001, interest in America has risen noticeably in the Arab world. Few Arab media outlets, however, have satisfied this demand. Everyone reports on America the "superpower , but few report on America the complex, diverse and democratic society. Al Jazeera's coverage of the United States and its policies reflects limited understanding of the country's inner workings or its history. This has created a skewed image of America in the Arab world - one which must be adjusted.
Of course, Al Jazeera's enormous success in the Middle East has come about in an environment with little real competition. The United States, on the other hand, has a plethora of diverse media outlets. For Al Jazeera to keep up with CNN or NBC, the new cable station will have to make serious improvements. This means providing real insight into domestic US politics - not oversimplification.
Issues such as the role of religion within the United States and the decision-making process behind foreign policy decisions are of real interest to the Arab community. Al Jazeera should extend its coverage beyond the immediate concerns of Iraq and the Arab-Israeli conflict to provide more nuanced, quality journalism.
Biased or not, Al Jazeera has secured a front-row seat in the international media arena, right next to CNN and BBC. More importantly, Al Jazeera has a huge influence in shaping the opinions and perspectives of Arab audiences. In order to compete in a larger new market, this influence must be used to foster understanding and build bridges, not to further miscommunication.
Arabs are used to foreign media penetrating their living rooms: from BBC's Arabic service, to Russia Today, France 24, the State Department funded Alhurra and Iranian Al Alam. Yet today, Al Jazeera controls much of the news that the Arab community receives, capturing a large Arab audience.
Yet with such success comes responsibility. Cable access in America is a big opportunity for Al Jazeera: let us hope that its leadership takes up the challenge of providing more probing, more multifaceted analysis that provides a more accurate and comprehensive picture of what is happening on both sides.
Mohamed Elmenshawy ([email protected]) is editor in chief of Taqrir Washington, and editor of Arab Insight, both projects of the World Security Institute in Washington. The article is written for the Common Ground News Service (CGNews).


Clic here to read the story from its source.