Arab TV network al Jazeera planning expansion to America

Houston Chronicle ^ | Feb. 8, 2003, 11:01PM | no byline

[weegee]

DOHA, Qatar -- Al Jazeera, the controversial network known as the Arab CNN, is planning to expand into America and other Western markets.

The Qatar-based television station that now reaches an estimated 55 million viewers a day is adding English to its Web site this month, before the anticipated U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. And within a year, the most influential media voice in the Islamic world hopes to run a separate broadcast in English that would air in America and Europe to help the West and the Middle East better understand each other.

"After the events of Sept. 11, we need to talk to each other more," said editor in chief Ibrahim Hilal in an interview. "We can deliver the (Arab) message, we have better access and analysis. Without understanding our region better, you can expect more Osama bin Ladens in the future."

But al Jazeera sees itself as offering a perspective on news from the Middle East that is different -- and they believe less biased -- than that offered by the U.S. media.

In a region where war with Iraq could inflame anti-American hostility, many believe al Jazeera would play a crucial role in U.S. public relations efforts. Western officials, including British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Secretary of State Colin Powell and national security adviser Condoleezza Rice, have recently agreed to be interviewed.

Qatar's ruler, the emir, founded al Jazeera, which means "The Island," in November 1996. He funded the station for the first five years, hoping it would then become profitable, a goal the station nearly reached last year.

Al Jazeera officials said its Western expansion was not motivated by economics.

"Don't get me wrong, we want to make money," said spokesman Jihad Ali Ballout. "But money is not of paramount importance. We believe we have a mission."

But criticism of the network's coverage has come from many sides.

In September 2001, U.S. officials filed a diplomatic complaint against the station, then still owned by the Qatar government. Americans accused al Jazeera of having an anti-American slant at the start of U.S. strikes in Afghanistan after the network aired tapes of bin Laden. They also objected to al Jazeera's describing Palestinian suicide bombers as "martyrs."

The network's Kabul office was hit by a U.S. bomb in November 2001. Hilal has claimed the bombing was deliberate. U.S. military officials said it was an error.

A Western diplomat in the Gulf region on Wednesday expressed hope that al Jazeera's expansion plans would improve the quality of its journalism. "The competition (with American and British media) will make them more accurate, more responsible," said the diplomat, who spoke only on the condition of anonymity.

"We don't want to make everyone happy," Hilal said. "We want to reach reasonable people."

[Colonel_Flagg]

Finally .. a cable network that will get lower ratings than CNN. :)

[Colonel_Flagg]

Or .. MSNBC.

[weegee]

Does this mean that in a similar "cultural" exchange, that the Saudi people will be watching the 700 Club anytime soon?

[PhiKapMom]

Why bother -- we already have CNN which is not exactly pro-American!

[Ciexyz]

I'll call my cable company right now. (/sarcasm)

[weegee]

I guess that we know which network will be picking up the Donawho show...

[weegee]

It'll probably be on public access next to the Lyndon LaRouche broadcasts.

[Porterville]

I PROTEST

[noutopia]

That will drop CNN into the tank for sure.

[RS]

"Does this mean that in a similar "cultural" exchange, that the Saudi people will be watching the 700 Club anytime soon? "

-- So Al Jazeera's revelance to the Arab people is to be equated with the 700 club's relevance to the American people ?

[dixiechick2000]

Ya 'spose this is the Dim's answer to Rush Limbaugh?

[Magoo]

Without understanding our region better, you can expect more Osama bin Ladens in the future.

"We don't want to make everyone happy," Hilal said. "We want to reach reasonable people."

READ: Without thinking like we do you will be attacked again and again.

I am not opposed to liberty or diversity. What I am opposed to is the insidious assault on our culture and civilization. That's what I see here.

One more leg up for moral relativism

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

And just which satellite or cable companies will pick this up and sell it as part of their package? The day I hear about this is the day we drop said service.

[weegee]

Saudi Arabia permits no religious expression that is not Islam. That was the basis of my selecting a regilous broadcast program. It was not to give weight or slander to the opinions on the 700 Club.

I think that you would agree that the 700 Club is broadcast with a position on the issues that they cover. Al Jazeera is the same.

This article speaks as if al Jazeera's coverage in the West will aid our insight even though they are a propaganda mouthpiece. Perhaps the "East" could use some enlightenment as well with a perspective they haven't heard.

[Bobby777]

"We want to reach reasonable people."

as opposed to their current audience? ... LOL ... perfect

[blackbart.223]

"Ya 'spose this is the Dim's answer to Rush Limbaugh?"

If it is, we have nothing to worry about.

[weegee]

There have been more and more image ads aimed at changing Americans' perceptions of the arab nations. Some of these even aired on conservative talk radio (although they did not provide information where to followup on the concepts or to question those behind the ads). They basically said that if Israel would surrender, there would be peace in the middle east (never mind that these nations don't especially get along with each other).

[goodseedhomeschool]

PAID FOR BY TED TURNER AND BERKLEY NO DOUBT

[Let's Roll]

"One more leg up for moral relativism"

We have enough home grown media doing that.