A leading Saudi columnist said he was boycotting Al-Jazeera TV over what he described as the station’s biased coverage and campaigns against the Kingdom. He was also angry at the station hosting what he described as “hungry Arab media men” who instead of discussing the problems of their countries, governments and political systems have turned into experts on Saudi affairs though most of them have never set foot on the Kingdom.
I don’t agree with those who advocate boycotting as a means of responding to others. This weapon has never succeeded and will not promote any cause it is intended to serve. On the contrary, the policy of direct confrontation and active engagement has proven to be a most suitable and most effective weapon in the long term.
Instead of leaving the stage to others to move freely and benefit from the media to spread lies and sell false claims, we should use the same weapon to challenge and confront them. If we allowed our foes to address public opinion and if they managed to win only 10 percent and convince them of their cause, they would regard this as a major victory. Would it be wise for us to boycott the American media because of its virulent attacks on the Kingdom?
Regardless of its orientation or the line it adopts, Al-Jazeera has become an influential media organ, playing an important role in shaping or misleading the political conscience of the Arab citizen. The channel is criticized by almost everyone on different occasions, including the Americans whose Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz considers Al-Jazeera and the other Arabic channel, Al-Arabiya, as tools for inciting violence in Iraq. Yet senior American officials miss no opportunity to appear on Al-Jazeera and address Arab public opinion.
I am not here to defend Al-Jazeera but what is important for me is to see Saudi intellectuals use the media and appear on satellite channels to reply to others with reason, logic and the power of conviction. Our intellectuals should not leave the field to critics and others who justify terrorism from young jihadists who claim to advocate dialogue while their hands are tainted with the blood of the innocent. The large presence of these groups in the media sends the wrong message to observers and to Arab public opinion which may believe that a majority of Saudis support what these individuals stand for.
Our media possesses huge technical potential but what counts most is the ability to convey our position to others. This calls upon us to use every available media organ to counter our critics. Our objective should be to protect our country and stand united against terrorism and those who advocate violence.
