Page 244 - Mass Media, Mass Propoganda Examining American News in the War on Terror

234 Chapter 9

the Middle East against the U.S. and Britain, the reality of the situation is that A1
Jazeera's relationship with its Arab audiences has been mutually reinforcing-
as the network seeks to report on issues important to the Arab masses, it thereby
gains legitimacy as a network in tune with the needs and views of its viewers.
Mohamed Zayani, Associate Professor of critical theory at the American
University of Sharjah in the UAE, lays out three primary reasons for A1
Jazeera's popularity throughout the Arab world: 1. the station's "aggressive
field reporting" as seen in the way it pursues stories in a timely manner; 2. its
"commitment to unedited news" as apparent in its "tendency to broadcast live,
uncut pictures" of unfolding crises; and 3. its reputation for "honesty and fair-
ness of its reporting."80 The final reason likely relates in part to A1 Jazeera's lack
of fear when it comes to challenging government propaganda and actions
throughout the Arab world and beyond. Along the same lines, Mohammed El
Oifi, Associate Professor of International Relations at the Institut dlEtudes
Politiques de Paris claims that A1 Jazeera's popularity arises, to a large extent,
from its willingness to reject common dogmas promoted by governments in the
region. "The channel's tendency to deal with issues that are often considered
taboo, including the radical critique of Arab rulers, and above all the channel's
notable tendency to align itself with public opinion," are amongst the major rea-
sons for A1 Jazeera's suc~ess.~'
A1 Jazeera's reporters see themselves as attempting to combine the practice
"objective" news reporting with what many might see as contradictory attempts
to challenge the legitimacy of the U.S. and its support for oppressive Arab re-
gimes throughout the region. Samir Khader summarizes this position well: "the
message of A1 Jazeera is to educate the Arab masses on democracy, respect the
other opinion, [with] free debate, no taboos. Everything should be dealt with,
with openness."82 A1 Jazeera has constructed a vastly different definition of ob-
jective reporting as something that, while encompassing a variety of fundamen-
tally conflicting viewpoints, seeks to challenge the legitimacy and authority of
all governments covered in its reporting.
A1 Jazeera also considers "objective" reporting to include the broadcasting
of graphic images of civilian deaths at the hands of the Israeli military in the
occupied territories and U.S. forces in Iraq, as well as the transmitting of bin
Laden message tapes to Arab audiences. The channel has long argued that ob-
jectivity requires the transmission of all newsworthy information, no matter how
graphic or controversial, so as to promote informed debate over the issues at
hand. In reality, A1 Jazeera, like all other media outlets, fails to achieve objectiv-
ity or neutrality, as its criticisms of most governments throughout the Middle
East and many in the West show its antagonistic, critical relationship with gov-
ernment and political leaders. However, A1 Jazeera has been more balanced than
many Western media outlets in that, while it is very critical of the U.S. and the
"War on Terror," it also makes serious efforts to televise the positions of pro-
war pundits and political leaders from the United States, Israel, and the Middle
~ast.~~
If one considers more balanced reporting of the news as something that can
be achieved by exposing viewers to a wider spectrum of debate, then A1 Jazeera