Hero or Heretic

1
Hero or Heretic?

• Al-Jazeera as a novel Arab television system

2
What motivated research on this topic?

• Historical trends in mass media systems in the
  Middle East
• Recent reactions and debate regarding
  Al-Jazeeras service
• Possibilities of it characterizing a new trend
  in Middle Eastern TV
• Intriguing political structure that underlies
  the stations
• operation relationship to state authority
• Al-Jazeeras growing popularity throughout the
  Arab world and among Arab immigrants in Europe
  North America
• Particular program, The Opposite Direction has
  triggered controversy.
• Al-Jazeeras coverage of the wars in Afghanistan
  and Iraq drew controversy.
• Al-Jazeeras broadcasting of Al-Qaeda/Bin Laden
  messages
• Reaction of Arab governments and their attempts
  to silence Al-Jazeera

3
Noteworthy

• Historical and political climate from which
  Al-Jazeera emerged
• Governmental and public response to Al-Jazeeras
  programming
• Stations style of news delivery as a departure
  from traditional conventions.
• Opposite Direction as an experimental model
  for moderated debate shows in the Arab world.

4
Historical ContextualBackground

• Most national Television networks operating
  within the borders of the Arab nations are
  government-sponsored or controlled (with few
  exceptions)
• Satellite Television serves as a new trend in
  this direction. Example of the Middle Eastern
  Broadcasting Center (MBC), Arab Radio
  Television (ART), Orbit, ESC etc.
• How the station was created? Who Created it?
  Where was it created? Qatar - country
  politics. How it serves as a location.

5
Anatomical functional properties of Al-Jazeera

• Target audience - employees, training, style of
  programming, niche-programming, specialized.
• Objectives of station (Mission Statement)-
  Opinion other opinion
• Accessibility On most satellite subscription
  packages in the Arab world. Available in the
  US via the DISH Network

6
Reactions to Al-Jazeera
Hero 1) Viewers developed a large audience
throughout the Arab world. Bad press it has
received has heightened interest in and curiosity
about its programs. Taboo subjects object of open
dialogue on Al-Jazeera shows e.g. homosexuality,
fundamentalism, government corruption etc. 2)
Western response Heralded by many western
critics as a voice for democratization in the
Arab world. Winner of several journalism awards
3) Domino Effect among other Arab TV stations.
We have no tanks or bombs, just Al-Jazeera,
Qatari national on the TV services success.
7
Heretic?

• Arab print media - Launched campaign to
  disfigure image of Al-Jazeera to Arab public
  and country nationals
• Arab Governments - Broadcasted criticism of Arab
  governments has created general state dissent.
  Several countries have closed Al-Jazeera bureaus,
  others have temporarily withdrawn diplomatic
  missions as an act of protest. Boycotts.

US Government Sees Al-Jazeera as an obstacle to
outreach in the Arab and Muslim worlds. Broadcast
images of US POWs and Iraqi civilian casualties
seen as inappropriate. Showing of messages from
Bin Laden considered an incitement for violence
against the US.
8
The Opposite Direction

• Weekly program with frequent reruns.
• Fashioned after the interview style of CNNs
  Larry King Live
• Coliseum-style debate reminiscent of Crossfire
• Host/moderator - Has been blamed of inciting
  conflict between guests. Now holds celebrity
  status in the Middle East

• Squares-off guests from polarized positions on an
  issue.
• (Jerry Springer-style) to increase audience
  viewing
• Differs from traditional interview-style
  programming.
• How did it affect other regional programs. Other
  countries adopting similar style e.g. ANA,
  ESC, ART etc.

9
Images Anchor Desk
10
Images Newsroom Studios
11
Images War Coverage