Reporting from Qatar, this is Al-Jazeera
Abstract
Since the arrival of Al-Jazeera in late 1996, western style news programming such as the British Broadcasting Corporation and U.S. Cable News Network has fallen out of favor with Arabs on the street because it does not appeal or speak to their cultural sensitivities. The satellite news station, Al-Jazeera, is the choice news outlet for nearly 40 million people residing in the Arab world, particularly since the service is free to anyone in the Middle East in possession of a satellite dish. This paper compares how Al-Jazeera reports news events, particularly in Iraq and in Afghanistan, to how the U.S. news media reports the same story. Selected news vignettes examine the facts of the stories and draw conclusions to Al-Jazeera's motives and the effects of its reporting on U.S. military operations in Iraq. The intent is to use examples of reporting by both Al-Jazeera and Western media sources, compare the differences, and touch on the cultural as well as strategic influences of how messages are shaping the War of ideas or information campaign. Suggestions or potential ways to address this important issue are provided.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 15, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA448508
Entities
People
- Steven P. Carney
Organizations
- United States Army War College