Al Iraqiya offers alternative view

Washington Times ^ | 4/28/04 | Rowan Scarborough

[kattracks]

When Arab-language TV station Al Jazeera broadcast anti-U.S. messages in the past, there was little the coalition could do to reach the average Iraqi with an alternative view.

Satellite dishes were sprouting by the thousands on rooftops. Yet, the Pentagon-financed news channel lacked serious programming and access to a satellite to carry its signal.

[kattracks]

ping

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Al Jazeera, the Qatar-based, pan-Arab channel that airs the war-mongering speeches of Osama bin Laden and other Muslim radicals, still is infuriating American officials. "I can definitely say that what Al Jazeera is doing is vicious, inaccurate and inexcusable," Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said last week after the station repeatedly asserted that Marines had killed hundreds of civilians in Fallujah...

...But this time, Al Iraqiya was on the air with a different perspective. Its reporters filed reports from the scene, quoting the Marines.

 

            

                

 

 Hoo ah!      (click link for fireworks)     

 

[radu]

Following the BBC model, Mr. Bremer has signed an order taking IMN away from the CPA and turning it over to an Iraqi board of governors.

This could defuse charges from some news executives who label Al Iraqiya as CPA's propaganda arm.

This may make a huge difference and get more and more Iraqis to watch the station.
As people see things happen for themselves in the cities they live in, and see the difference in the reporting, they'll discover who's telling the truth and who's not.

[ARepublicanForAllReasons]

The State Department did a survey last month, asking Iraqis which source they go to first for news. Al Iraqiya beat its two chief competitors. It garnered 40 percent of respondents, compared with 29 percent for Al Arabiya TV in the United Arab Emirates and 11 percent for Al Jazeera.

Countering AJ lies could make a hugh difference in Iraqi attitude and willingness to fight, or assist the Coalition in more passive ways (like turning in their AQ neighbors).
Many there apparently take is as a natural fact that US forces commit atrocities, since that is the customary standard of warfare in the region. Why should they think American's are any better than your typical local warlord or AQ-affiliated terrorists?

[Happy2BMe]

The "Power of The Press" was unquestionably proven by Alger Hess in Hitler's plan to take over Germany by using hatred and jealousy of the Jews as the catalyst of his propaganda machine.

[windchime]

Al Iraqiya bump! Wonder if they've considered a website to correspond with their televised news?

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[blackie]

Al Iraqiya ~ Bump!

We are winning ~ the bad guys are losing ~ trolls, terrorists, democrats and the mainstream media are sad ~ very sad!

~~ Bush/Cheney 2004 ~~